Brian Littrell’s son is carving out his own niche in the music industry, and that’s precisely how he wants it.
Baylee Littrell, the 22-year-old son of the Backstreet Boys member, made his father proud with his recent “American Idol” audition.
New judge Carrie Underwood quickly recognized the younger Littrell, noting his familiarity before he revealed his famous father’s identity.
Littrell then spoke about opening for the group as a child and witnessing his father’s career and popularity.
“When you’re a kid you’re not afraid,” he said of performing as an opening act for the Backstreet Boys. “But when you start to get a little bit older, especially a teenager, you kind of get intimidated, at least I was.”
His father understands.
“Obviously growing up in the industry a lot of people would look at that as such a perk,” the elder Littrell said on the show. “But it’s not easy. I’ve always told everybody that he’s ten times more talented than I ever was.”
Baylee Littrell, who was 21 at the time of his audition, played guitar and performed an original song titled “Waiting On Myself to Die” for judges Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
He told producers it was about “wanting to give up and not giving up yet.”
“Trust me I wish I wanted to do something completely different,” he said. “But if I’m not doing music there’s no way I can really exist.”
Baylee Littrell Auditions With Original Song & Duets with Backstreet Boy Dad Brian! | American Idol
The performance garnered rave reviews from the judges. Underwood told Littrell, “You’re really good.”
Meanwhile, his parents waited to congratulate him, and his father became emotional, saying of his son, “He’s obviously grown up in the business and I think he’s cut out for it.”
Bryan asked Baylee Littrell if his father ever sang with him, and upon learning that he had not, asked, “Ya think he’d sing with ya?”
The Backstreet Boy then performed his son’s song with him to the delight of the judges.
“I’m very happy for you and very proud of your son,” Richie told the elder Littrell. “He’s got his own lane and I think he could go a long way.”
The judges then voted to send the younger Littrell through to the next round of the competition, as his father said, “I’m going to cry. I’m crying.”
Season 23 of “American Idol” airs Sundays on ABC.
