2 weeks Ago
Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson have Baylee Littrell 's back. Baylee's fairytale run on season 23 of American Idol came to an end during the show's April 21 results show, during which the hopefuls were whittled down from 20 to 14, and the 22-year-old took his elimination in stride. "My American Idol journey has come to an end," Baylee wrote on Instagram April 22.
"Thank you so much to all that supported me this season. I love you all." In the comments of the carousel post featuring photos of him performing on the competition show, his Backstreet Boys member father had nothing but love for him.
"Bubba I am and always will be in your corner," Brian—who shares Baylee with wife Leighanne Littrell —wrote. "You are so strong and so very talented, and inspire me every day. It’s never the end, only the beginning for so many to be blessed by your gifts.
...
. you killed it last night." Meanwhile, Brian's bandmate Kevin also shared his support for Baylee after the devastating Idol result.
"So glad you got to experience this," he commented. "Proud of you young man. Your journey has just begun.
.." While he was surely feeling the love following his elimination, there was one family member who Baylee was uneasy about after the news.
"I don't know how I'm going to break this to my grandfather," the singer told USA Today after being cut from the show in an interview published April 22. "He doesn't know." While 10 of the top 14 contestants moved on based on fan votes, the remaining four hopefuls were chosen by judges Carrie Underwood , Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan , who had a single commercial break to decide who to save during the live broadcast.
"My brain was almost like: 'Six! I can't do it!" Carrie told USA Today of what was going through her mind at the time. "We were pretty much aligned; there were a couple of concessions that had to be made, but all in all I think we're happy with how it turned out, other than six people had to go home, which is a huge jump." While Baylee's time on Idol was cut short, he still made an impact during his time on the series, including during his top 20 performance the night before his elimination when he sang "Gone Without Goodbye," which is a track from his dad's 2006 solo album Welcome Home that carried extra emotional weight for his family.
"It means a great deal to us,” he told Ryan Seacrest after his performance. “That song is really dedicated to tragedy—9/11, you know, all the victims that it affected." "My mom was supposed to be on the second flight that hit the towers," he shared of the second flight that hit the World Trade Center in September 2001, "so I feel incredibly lucky.
It's an emotional song. I'm just glad I got through it." Keep reading for more celebrity kids who have competed on American Idol .
.. Nikko Smith Son of the Hall of Famer Major League Baseball player Ozzie Smith , Nikko competed on season 4 of American Idol , singing Stevie Wonder ’s “All I Do.
” Nikko made it to the top nine be for e he was eliminated. Jordin Sparks Jordin , daughter of New York Giants alum Phillippi Sparks , competed on season 6 of American Idol . She auditioned in Seattle, Washington, per for ming Celine Dion ’s “Because You Loved Me.
” She received a yes from judges Simon Cowell , Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson , and she went on to win the season. Since competing in 2007, the “Battlefield” singer has dropped several hit songs and received a Grammy nomination in 2009 for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for “No Air,” her duet with Chris Brown and in 2024 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Per for mance/Song for “Love Me Like I Am” With For King & Country . Lara Johnston In season 10, the daughter of Doobie Brothers member Tom Johnston Lara sang Stevie Wonder ’s “All I Do” in a San Francisco, Cali for nia audition.
She made it to the Hollywood round and was eliminated. Jane Carey Comedian Jim Carrey ’s daughter Jane was a season 11 contestant , singing Bonnie Raitt ’s “Something to Talk About” in San Diego, Cali for nia. Jane made it to the first round of Hollywood week be for e being eliminated.
Shannon Magrane For mer St. Louis Cardinals player Joe Magrane ’s daughter Shannon also competed on season 11 of the competition series. She per for med a rendition of Etta James ’ “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” and received a yes from all three judges.
Shannon secured a spot in the top 11 be for e she was sent home. Gianna Isabella Gianna, daughter of ‘80s pop star Brenda K. Starr , auditioned for season 15 of the series.
She per for med her mother’s hit song “I Still Believe,” and she wowed the judges. The New Jersey contestant finished with a place in the top ten. Amelia Hammer Harris Amelia, daughter of pianist and “Great Balls of Fire” songwriter Jack Hammer , was a season 16 contestant on American Idol .
She per for med “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones in Savannah, Georgia, where judges Katy Perry , Lionel Richie , and Luke Bryan all gave her a yes. She secured a spot in the top 24 be for e being eliminated. Claudia Conway Claudia, daughter of Kellyanne Conway ( for mer Senior Counselor for President Donald Trump ) and George Conway (who served as an advisor to Trump) auditioned for season 19 .
Katy announced the audition on a Nov. 16 Instagram story, saying, “Well, well, well, let the games begin because Claudia just tried out for American Idol .” The influencer sang Adele ’s “When We Were Young” and Rihanna ’s “Love on the Brain,” receiving a no from Luke, but a yes from both Katy and Lionel.
Claudia made it to the Hollywood round be for e being eliminated. Ava Maybee Ava, daughter of Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith , auditioned for season 20 with Stevie Wonder ’s “Lately.” She wowed all three judges, who sent her to the Hollywood round.
She made it to the top 14, singing “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles , but, alas, it was not enough to keep her in the competition. Leah Marlene Also competing in season 20, would be Leah—daughter of Honeymoon Suite guitarist Derry Grehan —who per for med “Steal My Girl” by One Direction in her Nashville audition, securing her a spot in the next round. She became a finalist for the season, singing “Cover Me” by Bruce Springsteen and her original song “Flowers,” but was eliminated.
Lyric Mederios Lyric, daughter of singer Glenn Mederios , auditioned for season 21 in Nashville with the song “Love Me Like You Mean It” by Kelsea Ballerini . However, Katy wanted to see her per for m another song more challenging, per for ming Carrie Underwood ’s “Be for e He Cheats.” Luke voted no, but Katy and Lionel moved her into the next round.
Lyric was eliminated shortly after in the Hollywood round. Camila Galavis Bachelor alum Juan Pablo ’s daughter Camila auditioned for season 22 of American Idol with a per for mance of Joaquina ’s “Rabia.” But be for e she sang, Juan admitted he was nervous for his daughter to enter the public eye.
“The opportunity came, she wanted to do it,” he explained. “And I say, ‘I don't know if you're old enough.’ That was last year.
I’d say, ‘Well maybe next year.’ And then, here she is. So, we’ll see how it goes.
” Lionel voted no when it came to her, but Katy and Luke decided to move her to the next round. However, she was ultimately cut during Hollywood week. Emmy Russell Following in the footsteps of her music legend grandmother Loretta Lynn , Emmy auditioned for season 22 with her own original song “Skinny” about her experience with eating disorders.
The per for mance secured her a golden ticket from Lionel, Katy and Luke, who were all shocked to learn her grandmother’s true identity. And her mother Patsy Lynn Russell –a member of the country duo The Lynns with twin sister Peggy Lynn –joined her backstage. “She just wanted to do this honestly,” Patsy said of her daughter's decision to audition for American Idol .
“I think that when you come from a musical family, the shadow is so big. ‘How do I fill those shoes?’ Well the deal is, you don't. You make your own shadow.
” Katy loved the per for mance, praising her: “You’re an A+ songwriter. So was your grandma. You got the gift.
” Emmy secured a spot in the Top 5 as a season 22 finalist, but ultimately did not win the season. Baylee Littrell Baylee auditioned for the competition series March 9, per for ming for new judge Carrie Underwood , and returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. He per for med his original song, and his father, Backstreet Boys alum Brian Littrell , joined him on stage to sing the chorus.
All three judges voted yes for Baylee, advancing him into the next round of season 23..
