In a heartfelt moment at the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs) on May 8, 2025, the Backstreet Boys expressed their unwavering support for Baylee Littrell, son of band member Brian Littrell, who recently competed on season 23 of "American Idol." The iconic boy band revealed to "Entertainment Tonight" that they all voted for Baylee during his time on the show, although it wasn’t enough to keep him from being eliminated.
Baylee, 22, made it to the top 20 of the competition but was sent home on April 21 after failing to secure enough viewer votes to reach the top 14. Brian Littrell, visibly emotional, shared, "I can’t really put it in words how proud I am of my son." He added, "He’s just living the dream. He’s a talented young man, so we’ll see — the sky’s the limit." Bandmate Kevin Richardson echoed this sentiment, stating, "He’s just beginning his journey." The pride and love from the Backstreet Boys were palpable as they rallied behind Baylee.
Baylee Littrell's journey on "American Idol" was not without its challenges. He faced significant criticism online, with some viewers labeling him a "nepo baby" for leveraging his father's fame. Despite this, Baylee remained focused on his passion for music. In an interview with CCM Magazine on May 2, he revealed that producers had encouraged him to audition for four years before he finally agreed. "I’ve been doing music on my own for really the past, like six years, seven years, mostly spending my time in Nashville and touring," he said. "But it just never was really working out like I had hoped."
Baylee candidly acknowledged the difficulties of being in the music industry, stating, "People barely know my name. They just know my background or where I come from. It’s definitely hard." He expressed his fears about auditioning for a TV show, admitting, "I didn’t want to be a viral bad moment on American Idol. I didn’t want to not get the golden ticket. I was terrified to be vulnerable." Despite these fears, he took a leap of faith.
In addition to his journey on the show, Baylee is preparing to release a new single titled "Hey Jesus," a faith-driven song he wrote at age 19 and performed during Hollywood Week. "This song truly, like I wrote it in a very dark time in my life," he explained. "It’s more about the struggle with faith, the struggle with finding your way. A big common misconception is that God won’t let us fall down. But falling is part of the journey." Brian Littrell confirmed that the single will be released soon, adding to the excitement surrounding Baylee’s budding career.
Meanwhile, on May 5, the competition heated up as the Top 8 contestants of "American Idol" took the stage, each performing songs carefully selected by the judges: Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood. The emotional episode featured contestants sharing personal stories behind their song choices, enhancing the connection with the audience.
Among the standout performances was Jamal Roberts, 27, who sang "I Believe" by Fantasia Barrino. He delivered a heartfelt rendition following the announcement of the birth of his third daughter, Gianna, that very day. Jamal shared, "It was so personal to me, I did not share it. But I have a healthy, beautiful baby girl born today." His emotional performance resonated with viewers, and he was visibly moved as he sang the lyrics, "I’ve been waiting all my life, for this moment to arrive." After the performance, he expressed his commitment to his newborn, saying, "Daddy will always be there for you. Always."
The judges were deeply impressed, with Lionel commenting, "You had everybody in the room crying," while Luke praised Jamal's unique ability to connect with the audience. Jamal, who also has two other daughters, shared his love for his family, stating, "They are my world, my life. They’re the reason I’m here and working so hard to keep smiles on those little faces."
Following Jamal's moving performance, Thunderstorm Artis, 29, took the stage. He dedicated his performance of Journey's "Faithfully" to his wife, Faith, who had been his anchor throughout their five years of marriage. Thunderstorm expressed his gratitude to her, saying, "Faith, you have supported me in so many different ways through these five years of marriage, and through a lot of crazy ups and downs. I just want to thank you for always being there, and always being my rock." His dedication added a personal touch to the performance, which earned him a standing ovation from the judges.
After the performances, both Jamal and Thunderstorm secured their spots in the Top 7, advancing to the next round of the competition. They will join Slater Nalley, 17, Breanna Nix, 25, John Foster, 18, Gabby Samone, 23, and Mattie Pruitt, 16, who will compete in the upcoming Mother's Day episode at Disneyland Resort on May 11, 2025. Unfortunately, 23-year-old Josh King was eliminated from the competition, leaving fans surprised.
As the competition progresses, the contestants are gearing up for a night filled with Disney classics, where they will perform in front of a live audience once again. The stakes are high as five contestants will be chosen after a live vote from America, leading to the final three who will head to the season finale. "American Idol" continues to captivate audiences every Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, showcasing the emotional journeys of its talented contestants.
