As the judges on season 23 of “American Idol” used the first-ever Head to Head Duet round to choose their Top 24, online critics were quick to pounce on some of their choices. Most singers ignored the naysayers, but Baylee Littrell’s mom immediately defended her son as he advanced in the competition, ready to sing for viewers’ votes.
Baylee, the son of Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, has been widely scrutinized as a “nepo baby,” with some fans questioning whether he deserves to keep advancing or was chosen because of his famous father. Shortly after the Top 24 episode aired on April 7, 2025, USA Today called the 22-year-old’s Head to Head duet his “roughest performance yet” and viewers flooded “Idol’s” social media pages asking why he made it through instead of his duet partner, soulful singer Keilene Bultron.
When “American Idol” posted a photo of the duo performing “Shallow,” disappointed viewers filled the comment section, including one who wrote, “Seriously??!!!!!…. I thought that the judges are in it for real!!… but it’s obvious that she sings better than him!!.. did you pass him through just because of who his father is??????? This was very unfair!!!!!!!!”
Baylee Littrell’s Mom Tells Him to Ignore the ‘Negative Peeps Hating On You’
After Baylee posted a photo of himself outside the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles to celebrate moving into the Top 24, he got a written pep talk from his mom Leighanne Litrell, who’s been seen on the show multiple times cheering Baylee on with his famous dad.
She wrote, “Love you bub! I love your heart ! I love your song writing , I love your voice! Don’t listen to the negative peeps hating on you because of who your dad is You have so many people who love you for who you are and how talented you are! Keep shinning! Keep on keeping on! You have always carved your own path, and will continue too! We are so proud of you!!!!”
Nearly 100 fans liked Leighanne’s comment and multiple people replied with encouraging words, including one who wrote, “exactly agreed! Your son has a beautiful voice and good heart on him you and his dad did a great job raising a nice young man. Rooting for him as well!”
In a separate comment, Leighanne wrote, “Cho Cho babe wish they showed the whole performance!”
Brian also wrote a supportive comment on his son’s post, telling him, “Keep chugging Bubba that was a great job…. So much hard work, so very proud of you. 🔥”
Critiquing the duet, judge Lionel Richie noted, “I don’t know if it was powerful or too powerful” and while deciding their fates, Bryan said Baylee seemed “real timid” on his verses. In the end, Bultron was sent home and Underwood told Baylee that though he was going through, it was “not a unanimous decision,” which she said she faced during her own Hollywood Week performances in 2005.
Underwood told him, “I am your cheerleader, I believe in you, and I had to be very vocal about that … So, moving forward, I need you to step it up!”
‘American Idol’ Top 24 for Season 23: Who Made It
DisneyThe 24 contestants chosen to advance after Hollywood Week will now head to Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii to work with celebrity mentors Ashanti and Josh Groban, as well as new Artist-in-Residence Jelly Roll, as they prepare to perform for a live audience on the outdoor stage “Idol” producers set up there each year.
Those performances will air on April 13 and 14, giving viewers their first chance to vote for which singers should move on in the competition. Here’s a list of the 24 singers — including all three Platinum Ticket recipients — who made it through Hollywood Week:
- Amanda Barise, age 26, from New York City
- Baylee Littrell, age 22, from Atlanta
- Breanna Nix, age 25, from Denton, Texas
- Canaan James Hill, age 17, from Dallas (Platinum Ticket Winner)
- Ché Chesterman, age 28, from Essex, England
- Desmond Roberts, age 26, from Corona, California
- Drew Ryn, age 27, from Chino Valley, Arizona
- Filo, age 23, from Dublin, California (Platinum Ticket)
- Gabby Samone, age 22, from Baltimore
- Grayson Torrence, age 21, from Providence Forge, Virginia
- Isaiah Misailegalu, age 17, from Las Vegas
- Jamal Roberts, age 26, from Meridian, Mississippi
- John Foster, age 18, from Addis, Louisiana
- Josh King, age 24, from Charlotte
- Kolbi Jordan, age 26, from Tulsa (Platinum Ticket Winner)
- Kyana Fanene, age 28, from San Leandro, California
- Mattie Pruitt, age 15, from Eagleville, Tennessee
- MKY, age, 25, from East Los Angeles
- Olivier Bergeron, age 22, from Kedgwick, New Brunswick, Canada
- Penny Samar, age 23, from Williamsport, Pennsylvania
- Slater Nalley, age 17, from Atlanta
- Thunderstorm Artis, age 28, from Haleiwa, Hawaii
- Victor Solomon, age 26, from Peoria, Illinois
- Zaylie Windsor, age 18, from Safford, Arizona
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Mom of ‘American Idol’ Top 24 Contestant Defends Him Amid Criticism: ‘Keep On Keeping On’