The “American Idol” Season 23 premiere had some boy band nostalgia.
Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell’s son, Baylee Littrell, auditioned for the singing competition during its season premiere on March 9 — and the famous boy bander joined him for a duet.
Footage of a young Baylee Littrell during Backstreet Boys concerts aired before he sang for judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
“There’s something about you that looks familiar,” Underwood told Baylee Littrell.
The singer informed the judges that his father was a member of the ’90s boy band, to which Underwood replied, “And you look like your dad.”
Baylee Littrell sings and plays an original song for the “American Idol” judges during his audition.Eric McCandless / Disney
Baylee Littrell, who said he gets his voice from his dad and hopes to do him justice, then performed an original song about wanting to give up but “not giving up yet.”
As soon as he started to sing, Underwood’s eyes widened and she looked at Bryan, who also looked surprised.
“Um, you’re really good. Like, you’re really good,” Underwood said after his audition.
“I think you could go very, very far in this competition,” she added.
Bryan asked if his dad ever sang with him, before posing the question, “You think he’d sing with you?”
Brian Littrell, who was there with wife Leighanne, entered the audition room, and Bryan asked if he could sing the chorus with his son.
Baylee Littrell with his dad, Brian Littrell, and his mom, Leighanne Littrell, during the “American Idol” auditions.Eric McCandless / Disney
After delivering an impromptu duet of the young singer’s song, the judges clapped for the father-son duo.
“I think that’s like the second time I’ve ever done that,” the Backstreet Boys member said, “So hope it sounded alright.”
Richie complimented Brian Littrell on his talented son, then telling the younger Littrell, “I think you can go a long way.”
In a unanimous vote from the three judges, Baylee Littrell headed to Hollywood, securing the ticket to the next round.
“I’m going to cry. I’m crying,” Brian Littrell said.
Brian Littrell and his son, Baylee, teamed up for an impromptu duet on “American Idol.”@bayleelittrell_music via Instagram
The “I Want It That Way” singer previously told TODAY.com about his 22-year-old son being part of “American Idol” and the hard work that it entailed.
“He was just texting me last night, going, ‘Dad, dude, how do you do this? Like, it’s hard work,’” Brian Littrell said at the time. “He’s been busting his butt, and I’m super proud of him. He kind of gets a new sense of reality of what this is.”
Brian Littrell, Lionel Richie, and Baylee Littrell on American Idol, auditions.Eric McCandless / Disney
During his “American Idol” interview, Baylee Littrell said following in his dad’s footsteps was “scary” because his career is “one of the most extraordinary in music history.”
“No one can ever compare,” he said, recalling seeing his dad perform in front of a huge audience when he was young and being “mesmerized.”
