An “American Idol” contestant brought some star power to their audition.
Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys superstar Brian Littrell, appeared on the season 23 premiere of the singing competition Sunday. The ABC TV show revealed footage of a young Baylee at BSB concerts before he performed an original song that immediately reminded the judges of his famous dad.
“There’s something about you that looks familiar,” Carrie Underwood said.
When Baylee admitted that his dad was a member of the superstar boy band, Underwood said he looks just like Brian. Then Baylee sang, impressing the former “Idol” winner.
“Um, you’re really good. Like, you’re really good,” Underwood said. “I think you could go very, very far in this competition.”
It was pretty clear that Baylee was going to get a golden ticket, but the deal was sealed when fellow judge Luke Bryan invited Brian to join Baylee for an impromptu duet. The father-son duo performed the chorus of Baylee’s original song, convincing all three judges to say yes.
“I think you can go a long way,” Lionel Richie said.
“I’m going to cry. I’m crying,” Brian Littrell said.
Baylee Littrell, who was identified on screen as a 21-year-old college student from Alpharetta, Georgia, previously released a country song in 2018. Last month, he teased his “Idol” audition on Instagram, encouraging fans to tune in for the season premiere.
“Bubba I can’t wait!!!!! Good Luck we’re all counting on you hahaha,” Brian commented.
The proud dad is best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys, performing hits like “I Want It That Way,” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” and “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart”) alongside bandmates Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough. BSB is next set to do a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the boy band’s “Millennium” album with a “2.0″ reissue.
Brian Littrell told the “Today” show last month that he’s proud of his son.
“He was just texting me last night, going, ‘Dad, dude, how do you do this? Like, it’s hard work,’” Brian said. “He’s been busting his butt, and I’m super proud of him. He kind of gets a new sense of reality of what this is.”
Other children of celebrities (sometimes referred to as “nepo babies”) that have appeared on “American Idol” include Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of country legend Loretta Lynn; Jane Carrey, whose father is Hollywood superstar Jim Carrey; Nikko Smith, the son of baseball legend Ozzie Smith; Claudia Conway, the daughter of former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway; and Jordin Sparks, whose father Phillippi Sparks played in the NFL for the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
“American Idol” airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Episodes can also be viewed on Hulu.