Barely 18 years old when he joined The Backstreet Boys in 1993, Brian Littrell wanted to keep his son, Baylee, as far away from the national spotlight as possible. Despite his initial reluctance, however, the Christian singer-songwriter, 50, found himself onstage supporting Baylee as he auditioned for American Idol. Performing original songs like “Hey Jesus,” the 22-year-old built a fanbase until his elimination just shy of the Top 14. However, if Brian Littrell had gotten his way, his son would never have tried out at all.
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‘American Idol’ “Courted” His Son, Brian Littrell Says
Speaking with Parade alongside his former bandmates, the Kentucky native revealed that American Idol sought Baylee out several times before he finally agreed to let him audition. “To be honest with you, I didn’t want him to do it at first, but they courted him for a couple of years,” Brian Littrell said. “They were like, ‘Come and audition,’ and he was like, ‘Nah.’”
By this time, Baylee Littrell was certainly no stranger to the stage. He first opened for the Backstreet Boys at age 10.
“I would sing two or three songs before the opener would come out and play their set,” Baylee told People in 2023. “And then that transcended into 2019, being able to go on a 42-show run with them and be the official opening act. That was the experience of a lifetime.”
[RELATED: Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell Speaks Out on Son Baylee Littrell’s ‘American Idol’ Exit]
The Backstreet Boys Are Proud of Baylee
Brian Littrell wasn’t the only Backstreet Boy in Baylee Littrell’s corner. AJ McLean recalled “bawling my eyes out” watching his bandmate’s son perform on American Idol for the first time.
“We’ve known Baylee his whole life, so to watch him come from singing with us during soundcheck to opening up for us back in the day to now, having his own career… He’s an incredible songwriter. It’s unbelievable, the level of talent,” McLean said. “Obviously, the apple didn’t fall far. Honestly, he did fantastic in my opinion.”
Even now, Brian gets “choked up a little bit” when he talks about his son’s future in music. “He’s just [the] most inspiring thing in my life right now,” the “Welcome Home (You)” singer told Parade. “He inspires me more than anything. Top 20 isn’t a bad thing out of 124,000.”
Featured image by Suzi Pratt/FilmMagic
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