The day after Baylee Littrell made his first appearance on season 23 of “American Idol,” the 22-year-old singer-songwriter shared his gratitude for the overwhelming response to his audition, which aired during the season premiere on March 9, 2025.
In a video Littrell posted on social media, he thanked everyone who sent love his way and acknowledged the “opposition” he’s received, too. There has been some pushback on social media from viewers who believe Littrell only got on the show because of his famous father, Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell.
But many fans rushed to his defense, as did “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and new judge Carrie Underwood, all urging Baylee to ignore the online chatter.
Baylee Littrell Told ‘Idol’ Producers ‘Following in My Dad’s Footsteps is Scary’
After a meteoric rise to mega-fame with the Backstreet Boys in the 90s, Brian married his wife Leighanne in 2000, per People. Two years later, they had Baylee, who hit the road with his family and often appeared onstage with the boy band when he was growing up, and both of his parents accompanied him to his audition.
“Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary,” he told producers before auditioning, “because his career, to me, is one of the most extraordinary in music history. No one can ever compare.”
As soon as Baylee’s audition aired, he was flooded with support from new fans and those who’ve supported his attempts to break into country music. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he landed a record deal in 2019 and went on tour, opening for both the Backstreet Boys and country artist Chris Lane, but lost the record deal when the pandemic hit.
Turning to “Idol” in hopes of furthering his career, Baylee’s audition went viral on social media within 24 hours of its airing, including nearly 500,000 views on YouTube. Fans rushed to praise his performance, including one who wrote, “We’ve got you Baylee!!!! The BSB Army has watched you grow up into this beautiful and amazingly talented young man!!! 💙”
“The last 24 hours has been absolutely amazing,” Baylee told his followers in his March 10 post. “It’s been insane, and I just wanted to tell you guys: thank you so much for all the love and support that I’ve received, that my family has received. Thank you to ‘American Idol’ for this amazing opportunity. Luke, Carrie, Lionel — you guys made this possible as well and I thank you so much.”
But Baylee couldn’t ignore some of the pushback from others, who have called him a “nepo baby” and questioned his appearance on “Idol,” including someone who wrote on his dad’s Instagram account, “Why does he need American Idol? Wasn’t he already releasing music? Isn’t Idol for people that need an opportunity? Lol”
Countering the negativity with gratitude, Baylee continued, “The love and support that has been shown in the last 24 hours, and even the opposition, has fueled me to keep going and do the best I can possibly do for all of you and I love you guys. I’m grateful for this, very grateful, and these are the moments you cannot take for granted. So, thank you guys so much. Couldn’t do it without you.”
Carrie Underwood & Ryan Seacrest Tweeted Their Support for Baylee Littrell
For his audition, Baylee performed an emotional original song called “Waiting On Myself to Die” that he said was “about me personally wanting to give up and not giving up yet,” adding, “Trust me, I wish I wanted to do something completely different, but if I’m not doing music there’s no way I can really exist.”
Underwood and her fellow judges, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, loved Baylee’s audition, and asked him to bring his dad in to sing the chorus with him. Before handing Baylee his golden ticket to Hollywood, Underwood told him, “For your superstar singer dad to come in here, I feel like for anybody else, it would make you look bad. But it didn’t. Like, you were right there with him. You didn’t pale, you didn’t shy away, you were like, ‘This is my moment.'”
While the premiere aired, Underwood reiterated her support by tweeting, “Not gonna lie, I saw the name on the sheet and when he walked in thought he looked awfully familiar. More than anything, I wanted Baylee to know he had his own talent to stand on…such a pure and gentle voice.”
Seacrest also backed up Baylee during the airing, tweeting, “A name may open a door, but it’s what you do once you walk through it that truly matters. Baylee Littrell isn’t just following in his father’s footsteps—he’s carving out his own path”
Another round of “American Idol” auditions will air on the second episode of season 23 on March 16 from 8 to 10 p.m. Eastern time.
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Baylee Littrell Bravely Addresses ‘Opposition’ to His ‘American Idol’ Audition While Thanking Fans