Baylee Littrell has the support of his family throughout his American Idol journey, but there’s one person he wishes was by his side.
Following the final auditions, season 23 kicked off its Hollywood round on Monday, March 31, during which the contestants watched their competition perform for judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Baylee’s parents — Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell and wife Leighanne Wallace — were in the audience as he took the stage to sing an emotional original song.
“When your family’s in the music business, it opens a lot of doors,” Baylee, 22, told the cameras in a confessional. “But it also creates a lot of animosity, so my big thing here is I’m here to make this on my own and carve my path.”
Discussing the inspiration behind his song “Hey Jesus,” Baylee said it was written during “a pretty tough time in my life.”
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“My grandma was my best friend. With my dad being away on tour, she would always step in. She understood me like not many people do,” he continued, tearfully revealing that his grandmother died nearly three years prior. “I thought she was going to be around for moments like this. I never expected to lose her, so when I did, I questioned everything and I pushed away faith … this song kind of helped me find it.”
Baylee strummed an acoustic guitar as he sang to his fellow Idol hopefuls, some of whom raised their hands in praise. When the camera panned over to Brian, 50, he was seen singing along.
Underwood, 42, told Baylee that his “heart” and “genuineness” came through in the performance. As he left the stage, Richie, 75, applauded the “great lyrics.”
“If my grandma saw me, she’d probably be really proud,” Baylee said. “I hope it’s enough to get to the next round.”
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After seeing all 144 finalists perform, the judges deliberated over who to keep — and who to send home — in what host Ryan Seacrest called “the biggest cut in Idol history.” The contestants were separated into four rooms and told their fate.
Baylee ultimately survived the elimination, but another singer with a famous family wasn’t as lucky. Carnie Wilson‘s daughter Lola Bonfiglio, who performed Billie Eilish‘s “Birds of a Feather,” was sent home.
“This has been such a roller-coaster,” the 19-year-old said through tears. “And I love roller-coasters.”
Wilson, 56, hugged her daughter after hearing the results. “You took a chance and you gave it your all,” she said. “That means you’re a winner.”
American Idol season 23 airs on ABC Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.
