Backstreet Boys Star’s Son Baylee Littrell Left American Idol Judge Speechless During 2025 Audition

Baylee Littrell, the 23-year-old son of Backstreet Boys artist Brian Littrell, left Judge Lionel Richie speechless during his American Idol audition last year. Clips from his appearance surfaced on social media a year after the 2025 episode aired.

The judge asked why Baylee Littrell looked so familiar before discovering that he was the son of the famous boyband star. Richie, 77, was taken aback when the connection was revealed. Fellow judges Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan sensed something familiar about the contestant.

The aspiring musician has a striking resemblance to his father. He has the same blond curls and similar features. He opened for The Backstreet Boys during their DNA World Tour in 2019 at 16 years old. "Since I was 6 years old, my dream has always been to go on tour," Baylee Littrell said, according to People.

The performer shared a story about the moment he realized he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. "I put on one of my dad's jackets from one of his outfits in his dressing room, and I stood in front of the mirror," he said. "He comes in and is like, 'Hey Bubs, what are you doing?' and I'm like, 'Well, I want to be like you. I asked, 'Can I get up there instead one day?' He was like, 'Well, you never know,'" Baylee Littrell added.

The contestant has gone into country music instead of pop like his father. He developed his love for the genre through his grandparents, and his parents suggested he try it.

Brian Littrell, 51, has been part of the Backstreet Boys since 1993. The late music manager, Lou Pearlman, assembled the group, which includes Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean, and Nick Carter. 

The Backstreet Boys singer married actress Leighanne Wallace in 2000. The couple welcomed their son in 2002.