Baylee Littrell smiles with dad Brian Littrell and mom Leighanne Littrell in December 2023. Photo:
Baylee Littrell/ Instagram
The Backstreet Boys‘ Brian Littrell passed his musical genes onto his son, Baylee.
The music star and his wife, Leighanne Littrell, welcomed their son on Nov. 26, 2002, and he grew up in Atlanta. From a young age, Baylee was thrust into life on the road — but rather than living in his father’s shadow, he has forged his own path in the entertainment industry as a country singer.
When American Idol season 23 premiered on March 9, Baylee auditioned with an emotional original song before Brian joined him for an unexpected duet in front of the judges.
“I believe I get my voice from dad, and hopefully I can do him justice today,” he said ahead of his audition. “I guess you could say music runs in our family … Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary, because his career, to me, is one of the most extraordinary in music history. No one can ever compare.”
While Baylee values his dad’s opinion, Brian is equally as focused on making his son proud.
“I hope that I can always be my son’s hero,” Brian told PEOPLE in November 2018. “It doesn’t really matter that I’m a pop star. You can call me what you want, but I just want to be my son’s hero.”
From his upbringing to his passion for music, here’s everything to know about Brian Littrell’s son Baylee.
Brian Littrell, son Baylee Littrell and wife Leighanne Littrell attend the premiere of ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ on Sept. 18, 2008, in Hollywood, Calif. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Brian and Leighanne welcomed Baylee on Nov. 26, 2002.
In honor of Baylee’s 20th birthday in 2022, Brian shared a heartfelt Instagram message to his son, writing, “My boy is [20 years] old. I can’t believe it….. what a man you are, you’ve taught me so much in life, I can’t thank you enough for being the person that you are.”
He added, “You will forever be my baby boy!!!!! I love you so much!!!!”
Brian Littrell and son Baylee Littrell appear on stage at the Gibson Amphitheater on Sept. 4, 2013, in Universal City, Calif. David Livingston/Getty
Baylee has been living the life of a rockstar since he was a kid as he traveled alongside his dad’s iconic boy band while they were on tour.
“I’ve pretty much grown up on the road since I can remember. So my first crib was a bunk on a tour bus,” Baylee told PEOPLE in April 2023. “So really, my first memories are being out on the road and being abroad.”
But Baylee wasn’t just watching from the wings, he was also joining his dad on stage.
“I got to introduce my dad at 5 years old,” he said. “And then when I was 10, I started opening up for them. I would sing two or three songs before the opener would come out and play their set.”
By 2019, Baylee went on a 42-show run with the Backstreet Boys as their official opening act.
“That was the experience of a lifetime,” he said. “It was an out-of-body experience. It was crazy. Every night, it never gets old to hear my dad.”
Leighanne Wallace Littrell, Brian Littrell and Baylee Littrell attend ‘Disaster!’ Broadway Opening Night on March 8, 2016, in New York City. Jenny Anderson/Getty
In 2016, Baylee made his Broadway debut in the musical Disaster! at 13 years old. The young performer’s role as twins Ben and Lisa earned him his first Drama Desk Award nomination, per Playbill.
But while Baylee was thriving in the entertainment world, he was also dabbling in athletics thanks to his personal coach: his dad.
“Every sport growing up, he coached me in,” Baylee told PEOPLE in 2023. “Even when he couldn’t be there, every time he was home if he wasn’t working, he was front and center for me.”
He added, “He’s been a fantastic dad. I couldn’t ask for a better father.”
Brian Littrell and his son Baylee. Andrew Hetherington
Brian might be the global superstar of the family, but Leighanne has had a musical impact on their son, too.
Baylee told PEOPLE in 2023 that his mom “can write some amazing music herself.”
“I always have their perspective,” he said of both of his parents. “They’re always there for me if I ask, but they let me do my own thing, which I appreciate.”
Baylee also reflected on what he’s learned from watching his dad’s career, saying, “He’s shown me stepping out of my comfort zone and courage is what it takes to get to that next level.”
“I’m beyond proud and I really want to replicate what he’s done and as close to his success as I can get,” Baylee added. “That’s a once-in-a-lifetime career, but I want to be successful in music as well because of him.”
Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys and Baylee Littrell at the Grammy Museum on April 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. Rebecca Sapp/WireImage
While Baylee was watching his dad live out his dreams, he developed some goals of his own: being the “sixth Backstreet Boy.”
“I had to be 6 or 7 at the time and I’d go crash the wardrobe closet and put on their outfits and stuff before shows,” Baylee told PEOPLE.
Though he never became an official member of the band, Brian always knew his son had what it takes to have a successful career of his own.
“I have a memory of myself standing in front of a mirror in my dad’s show outfit and I was like, ‘Hey, can I be a part of the group?’ ” Baylee recalled. “And he put his hands on my shoulders and he was like, ‘One day. One day you’re going to get your shot.’ “
Brian Littrell and his son Baylee Littrell in August 2022. bayleelittrell_music/Instagram
In 2023, Brian and Baylee appeared in the first season of MTV docuseries Family Legacy, which featured interviews with the children of legendary music artists, including Brandy‘s daughter Sy’rai and *NSYNC‘s Joey Fatone‘s daughter Briahna.
Reflecting on the experience to PEOPLE, Baylee admitted he got “super emotional” as he looked back on his childhood.
“It was an emotional journey,” he said. “I teared up during the interview.”
“I got to see a bunch of clips of my dad from when he was my age and now even younger,” Baylee added. “And it blew me away because I’ve gotten to see so much of his career, but there’s so much I still haven’t seen. It was crazy.”
Baylee Littrell and father Brian Littrell during American Idol Season 23 Auditions. Disney/Eric McCandless
Ahead of the premiere of American Idol, Brian shared with Today that he was feeling especially proud of his son’s journey onto the show.
“He was just texting me last night, going, ‘Dad, dude, how do you do this? Like, it’s hard work,’ ” he told the outlet. “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.”
After the father-son duo performed together during his audition, judge Carrie Underwood gave Baylee high praise, saying, “You were right there with him. You didn’t pale. You didn’t shy away. You were like, ‘This is my moment.’ “
Baylee proceeded to receive a “yes” from judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Underwood, leaving Brian filled with emotion. “I’m going to cry,” the proud dad said.
