Brian Littrell and former Backstreet Boys bandmate Kevin Richardson publicly supported Brian’s son, Baylee Littrell, following his American Idol elimination.
After his departure from the fact competition show during a live elimination on Monday, April 21, Baylee’s Instagram response, posted the next day, attracted a loving response from his dad, 50. “Bubba I’m and all the time will likely be in your corner. You might be so strong and so very talented, and encourage me day by day. It’s never the tip, only the start for thus many to be blessed by your gifts….. you killed it last night. 🔥❤️,” Brian wrote.
Three hours later, in a second Instagram post that saw Baylee, 22, cover Bob Dylan’s “Girl from the North Country,” Richardson, 53, commented with a red heart.
Brian, who formed Backstreet Boys in 1993 alongside Richardson, Nick Carter, A.J. McLean and Howie Dorough, remained by his son’s side throughout his 2025 American Idol journey. When Baylee auditioned for the competition, selecting to perform an original song of his own, Brian joined the audition to sing the song with him.
Baylee also addressed his father’s success and subsequent fame while appearing on the show, admitting that he felt pressure to succeed himself. “Following in my dad’s footsteps is horrifying because his profession to me is one of the crucial extraordinary in music history. Nobody can ever compare,” Baylee told the cameras. “I remember being 8 or 9 years old and so they sold out this huge arena and I got to open up for them. I just had my two little songs and I got here off stage and when the blokes went on, the screams and the lights went down. I used to be just mesmerized.”
Baylee, who made the highest 20, was booted from the competition by judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan throughout the first live elimination of American Idol season 23.
Brian and Baylee Littrell in 2019 Rebecca Sapp/WireImage
Six contestants in total were asked to depart the show including Baylee and Zaylie Windsor, whom Underwood, 42, likened to a young Taylor Swift.
Baylee’s elimination was a tricky pill to swallow for fans, who took to his Instagram comments section to indicate their support. “They don’t know what they lost on the show! But we’re all the time behind you, and we is not going to allow you to go. The Baylee train is just starting,” wrote one fan, while one other commented, “How they’ve wasted your talent!! Higher things are sure to return!! Keep shining with that voice!!”
Baylee acknowledged his growing fan base in his response Instagram post, sharing on Tuesday, “My American Idol journey has come to an end. Thanks a lot to all that supported me this season. I like you all.”
