Carrie Underwood Sees Big Potential In ‘American Idol’ Contestant Baylee Littrell: ‘You Could Go Very, Very Far’

Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boys’ member Brian Littrell, proves that music runs in his blood with his impressive American Idol audition. 

The 21-year-old college student, who hails from Georgia, caught the attention of Idol Judge Carrie Underwood instantly. 

“There’s something about you that looks familiar,” Underwood told him.

He revealed, “My dad is Brian Littrell from Backstreet Boys.” 

While a smile, Luke Bryan quipped, “You must forgive me, I didn’t have your dad’s posters in my room” as a photo of a young Carrie Underwood flashed on the screen in a bedroom adorned with Backstreet Boys posters. 

Viewers learned more about Baylee in his video package, which featured interview clips as well as clips with his mom and dad. 

“I get my voice from dad. And, hopefully, I can do him justice today,” Baylee admitted. “I guess you could say music runs in our family. Dance moves are the one thing genetically that did not pass down. Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary because, to me, his career is one of the most extraordinary in music history. No one can ever compare.” 

He went on to recall the moment that he got his first taste of stardom.  

“I remember being 8 or 9 years old and [the Backstreet Boys] sold out this huge arena. And I got to open up for them. I had my two little songs. And I came offstage and when the guys went on, the screams and the lights went down. I was just mesmerized,” he shared. “I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh. What is this?’”

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For his audition, Baylee delivered an emotional performance of “Waiting On Myself To Die.” 

“This song is about me personally wanting to give up and not giving up yet,” he explained. 

From the moment Baylee sang his first note, the judges seemed stunned by his talent.At the end of his performance, he earned a round of applause.  

“You’re really good,” Underwood complimented. “I love the song and that’s a risk, too, when people come in singing their own song. That was great! You went there emotionally. I think you could go very, very far in this competition.”

Baylee’s parents stepped into the room, expressing their immense pride in their son before Brian joined him for a performance of the chorus of his original song, as the judges looked on.

Following another round of applause, Underwood told him, “This was not a part of the audition. But for your superstar singer dad to come in here, I feel for anybody else, it would make you look bad. But it didn’t. You were right there with him. You didn’t shy away. You were like, “This is my moment.’”

Lionel Richie then chimed in, telling Brian and Baylee, ““I’m very happy for you and very proud of your son. He’s got his own lane and I think he can go a long way.”

Before the judges decided his fate in the competition, Luke Bryan added, “I’m a dad of boys. And all you want your boys to do is blaze their own trail. And when they want to do the steps and the work, I’m there to help. But it’s up to them to want to go do it. You’ve obviously taken the time to hone your skills and your craft.” 

It was then revealed that Baylee Littrell would in fact be earning a golden ticket and that he was on his way to Hollywood. 

“I really didn’t know how it was going to go today, the contestant admitted. “I was terrified. But being able to sing my original and get through and the judges loved it, that meant the world.”

This audition aired during the milestone 700th episode of American Idol, which served as the season premiere of the eighth season of Idol on ABC, and the 23rd season overall.