Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell Pens Poignant Message After Son's 'American Idol' Elimination

Proud dad and Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell replied to his son Baylee Littrell’s heartwarming goodbye post from this season’s American Idol.

22-year-old Baylee’s idol journey came to a close on Monday when he was cut from the Top 14 round.

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In his post marking the end of his Idol run, Baylee Littrell wrote:

“My American Idol journey has come to an end… Thank you so much to all that supported me this season.”

Proud papa Brian Littrell took to the replies of his son's post to movingly express his pride:

@rokspics/Instagram

Littrell joined Baylee for his initial audition when he performed his original song, “Hey Jesus.”

Acknowledging his family’s music business, Baylee confessed to the camera:

“When your family’s in the music business, it opens a lot of doors, 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.”

And the audience and judges seemed to agree. Baylee joined season 23 of the music competition with returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Ritchie, and season four American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood. He made it to the Top 20 with his uplifting rendition of “Happy” with his own Pharrell Williams’s top hat. "Bailey! I feel like you’re owning your voice and your moment more, and I love seeing that," praised Underwood. "I love seeing you work the stage. I love seeing you interact with the crowd.”Littrell’s family and members of The Backstreet Boys also celebrated Baylee’s time on American Idol:

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Leighanne Littrell is Baylee’s Mom, and Annie Littrell is Baylee’s aunt. And Kevin Richardson of BSB is famously the cousin of Brian Littrell.

Fans of the up-and-coming singer also chimed in:

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One family member that Baylee is hesitant to contact about his elimination… is his dear grandfather:

“I don't know how I'm going to break this to my grandfather… He doesn't know.”

We’re sure he’s proud of you no matter what.

Despite getting cut, Littrell did dedicate a familiar Backstreet Boys song that was sure to make his father’s day:

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BSB fans can also recall that “Gone Without Goodbye” was a song written during the tragedy of 9/11, as it recounts the themes of loss without a proper farewell. Baylee and Brian even mention that his mother was supposed to be on the second flight that struck the World Trade Center.

Host Ryan Seacrest acknowledged the song’s message:

“That song is really dedicated to tragedy—9/11, you know, all the victims that it affected."

Viewers of the performance loved Baylee’s cover:

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Brian Littrell has one album called 770 Country, which was released in November 2019. In terms of his favorite Backstreet Boys member, his answer is… AJ McLean.