Carrie Underwood Sees Big Potential In ‘American Idol’ Contestant Baylee Littrell: ‘You Could Go Very, Very Far’
Baylee is the son of Backstreet Boys member, Brian Littrell.
Baylee Littrell, Carrie Underwood; Photos Courtesy ABC, American Idol
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?’”
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.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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