Latest news with #Littrell
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Baylee Littrell says Backstreet Boys dad taught him how to stay humble in Hollywood
Baylee Littrell wore his faith on his sleeve all the way to the top 20 on "American Idol," and he said it was a lesson he learned from his parents. Littrell, 22, is the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell. He won the judges over with an original song in his audition (accompanied by his famous dad), and then his performances continued to impress in the later stages of the competition, before being voted off last week. In the Hollywood round, he performed an original song called, "Hey Jesus" that he wrote following the death of his grandmother. Littrell said he did not expect to receive the feedback he did from fellow believers in Christ. Backstreet Boys Singer Gets Emotional During Son's 'American Idol' Performance About Finding His Faith "I feel like I got a really, really good response from it," Littrell told Fox News Digital. "A lot, a lot of support that I truly did not expect to receive. Because in this day and age, representing faith is kind of taking a risk. I feel like the majority of the world doesn't look to find it. So when I had that reception from fellow believers out there and people that are just now finding faith, I made that my strength for the rest of the show. So, it was great." Read On The Fox News App His faith is something Baylee said blossomed at home. "That's the foundation of my faith is what my parents taught me growing up, what I would learn in school, growing up," he said. "And it's just, it's always a big part of our lives. You know, it's really the foundation of our life. And there is a big misconception with it. You know that you can't live a full life or you can't do certain things, due to religion." But that's the wrong perspective, he shared. "It's really more like, to me, I look at being like a good Christian is one who does not judge, one who accepts everyone," he added. "So, it played a big role and it was actually really freeing to have it on the show and be able to be that voice for people that have already known it for so long or that are just now finding it. So, it meant a great deal to me." 'American Idol' Judge Carrie Underwood Admits It's 'Difficult' To Bring Faith Into Hollywood Judge Carrie Underwood, who also competed on and won season 4 of "American Idol" back in 2005, has been very open about her own Christian faith throughout her career. This season's Easter episode featured the contestants singing spiritual songs, capped off with Underwood's powerful performance of "How Great Thou Art." While Littrell said he never got to speak with Underwood directly about their walk with God, he said that growing up her voice had been a constant in their home. "The faith songs that she's recorded and put out there over the years have always been a pillar in my house," he shared. "You know, my grandmother many years ago when she lost one of her best friends, I sang 'How Great Thou Art' at her funeral and that was her friend's request. And so it was like, it's a beautiful moment." "That's what really brought me to Carrie's faith-based music and stuff like that. I got to see her sing that during our Easter episode. And I was crying, I was bawling my eyes out just because it's a beautiful moment. And I truly believe she's been used as a vessel. And I think it's so cool to see the beauty and the power of her voice and what she does with it and how she uses it." 'American Idol' Judge Praises Contestant For Boldly Sharing Her Faith Through Music: 'Never Scared' Littrell surprised fans on social media last week when he posted pictures of himself in the studio recording, "Hey Jesus." "So, that song, hopefully we're going to get that out in the next couple of weeks while it's still fresh in people's minds," he said. "But I went into the studio just with my acoustic guitar and recorded it and going back in the studio today to just refine some things with it. And we've got a lot more music coming, but definitely want to get 'Hey Jesus,' there first just so people have it." Asked to explain what genre of music he believes he'll fit into, he said he wouldn't want to stay in just one box. "I would never pin myself as like strictly a Christian artist," he said. "I could see it being more pop-related. I've taken a stab at country the last like six years and that one doesn't feel like it's really going to work out. I just feel like I'm going more into a direction of singer-songwriter." "But, too, I want to highlight any time I write a song that's faith-related, I would love to get it out there," he added. "You know, be a voice for people. I don't think I would ever strictly be a Christian artist, but I would definitely love to, you know, any chance I get to do both and have that out there for the world."Original article source: Baylee Littrell says Backstreet Boys dad taught him how to stay humble in Hollywood
Fox News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Baylee Littrell says Backstreet Boys dad taught him how to stay humble in Hollywood
Baylee Littrell wore his faith on his sleeve all the way to the top 20 on "American Idol," and he said it was a lesson he learned from his parents. Littrell, 22, is the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell. He won the judges over with an original song in his audition (accompanied by his famous dad), and then his performances continued to impress in the later stages of the competition, before being voted off last week. In the Hollywood round, he performed an original song called, "Hey Jesus" that he wrote following the death of his grandmother. Littrell said he did not expect to receive the feedback he did from fellow believers in Christ. "I feel like I got a really, really good response from it," Littrell told Fox News Digital. "A lot, a lot of support that I truly did not expect to receive. Because in this day and age, representing faith is kind of taking a risk. I feel like the majority of the world doesn't look to find it. So when I had that reception from fellow believers out there and people that are just now finding faith, I made that my strength for the rest of the show. So, it was great." His faith is something Baylee said blossomed at home. "That's the foundation of my faith is what my parents taught me growing up, what I would learn in school, growing up," he said. "And it's just, it's always a big part of our lives. You know, it's really the foundation of our life. And there is a big misconception with it. You know that you can't live a full life or you can't do certain things, due to religion." But that's the wrong perspective, he shared. "It's really more like, to me, I look at being like a good Christian is one who does not judge, one who accepts everyone," he added. "So, it played a big role and it was actually really freeing to have it on the show and be able to be that voice for people that have already known it for so long or that are just now finding it. So, it meant a great deal to me." Judge Carrie Underwood, who also competed on and won season 4 of "American Idol" back in 2005, has been very open about her own Christian faith throughout her career. This season's Easter episode featured the contestants singing spiritual songs, capped off with Underwood's powerful performance of "How Great Thou Art." While Littrell said he never got to speak with Underwood directly about their walk with God, he said that growing up her voice had been a constant in their home. "The faith songs that she's recorded and put out there over the years have always been a pillar in my house," he shared. "You know, my grandmother many years ago when she lost one of her best friends, I sang 'How Great Thou Art' at her funeral and that was her friend's request. And so it was like, it's a beautiful moment." "That's what really brought me to Carrie's faith-based music and stuff like that. I got to see her sing that during our Easter episode. And I was crying, I was bawling my eyes out just because it's a beautiful moment. And I truly believe she's been used as a vessel. And I think it's so cool to see the beauty and the power of her voice and what she does with it and how she uses it." Littrell surprised fans on social media last week when he posted pictures of himself in the studio recording, "Hey Jesus." "So, that song, hopefully we're going to get that out in the next couple of weeks while it's still fresh in people's minds," he said. "But I went into the studio just with my acoustic guitar and recorded it and going back in the studio today to just refine some things with it. And we've got a lot more music coming, but definitely want to get 'Hey Jesus,' there first just so people have it." Asked to explain what genre of music he believes he'll fit into, he said he wouldn't want to stay in just one box. "I would never pin myself as like strictly a Christian artist," he said. "I could see it being more pop-related. I've taken a stab at country the last like six years and that one doesn't feel like it's really going to work out. I just feel like I'm going more into a direction of singer-songwriter." "But, too, I want to highlight any time I write a song that's faith-related, I would love to get it out there," he added. "You know, be a voice for people. I don't think I would ever strictly be a Christian artist, but I would definitely love to, you know, any chance I get to do both and have that out there for the world."
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Backstreet Boys singer gets emotional during son's 'American Idol' performance about finding his faith
Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell, opened up about his faith journey during an emotional performance on "American Idol" Monday night. Littrell, 22, performed an original song called, "Hey Jesus" that he wrote during a difficult time following the death of his grandmother. "My grandma was my best friend," Littrell said in a video that played before his performance. "She understood me like not many people do." Littrell said that after his grandmother died, he "questioned everything" and "pushed away" his faith. Carnie Wilson Defends Daughter From 'Cruel' Nepo Baby Comments Following 'American Idol' Audition Writing "Hey, Jesus" helped him rediscover his relationship with the Lord, he said. Read On The Fox News App "Hey Jesus, I broke my wings again. Can you help me up, one last time, old friend," Littrell sang. "Oh, because I surrender, everything, to you," he continued. "Oh I've tried to fight all my battles without you by my side, in the dark depths of the night, it's where I'd be without your beautiful light." "Give me wings to fly, hey, Jesus," he sang. At times during the song, the camera panned to Littrell's parents, Brian Littrell and Leighanne Littrell, who were silently singing along with tears in their eyes. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Judge Carrie Underwood praised Littrell's "genuine" performance afterward as "so good," while judge Lionel Richie hailed the singer's "great lyrics." Littrell moved forward to the next round, while over half of the show's 144 contestants were sent home during "Hollywood Week." Littrell is not the only contestant from a famous musical family this season. Lola Bonfiglio, the 19-year-old daughter of Wilson Phillips' singer Carnie Wilson, was one of the contestants sent home Monday night. Bonfiglio faced online "nepo baby" accusations that she was benefiting from her mother's article source: Backstreet Boys singer gets emotional during son's 'American Idol' performance about finding his faith
Fox News
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Backstreet Boys singer gets emotional during son's 'American Idol' performance about finding his faith
Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell, opened up about his faith journey during an emotional performance on "American Idol" Monday night. Littrell, 22, performed an original song called, "Hey Jesus" that he wrote during a difficult time following the death of his grandmother. "My grandma was my best friend," Littrell said in a video that played before his performance. "She understood me like not many people do." Littrell said that after his grandmother died, he "questioned everything" and "pushed away" his faith. Writing "Hey, Jesus" helped him rediscover his relationship with the Lord, he said. "Hey Jesus, I broke my wings again. Can you help me up, one last time, old friend," Littrell sang. "Oh, because I surrender, everything, to you," he continued. "Oh I've tried to fight all my battles without you by my side, in the dark depths of the night, it's where I'd be without your beautiful light." "Give me wings to fly, hey, Jesus," he sang. At times during the song, the camera panned to Littrell's parents, Brian Littrell and Leighanne Littrell, who were silently singing along with tears in their eyes. Judge Carrie Underwood praised Littrell's "genuine" performance afterward as "so good," while judge Lionel Richie hailed the singer's "great lyrics." Littrell moved forward to the next round, while over half of the show's 144 contestants were sent home during "Hollywood Week." Littrell is not the only contestant from a famous musical family this season. Lola Bonfiglio, the 19-year-old daughter of Wilson Phillips' singer Carnie Wilson, was one of the contestants sent home Monday night. Bonfiglio faced online "nepo baby" accusations that she was benefiting from her mother's career.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Backstreet Boy's Brian Littrell Has an Emotional Reaction to His Son Baylee's 'American Idol 'Audition
Brian Littrell couldn't be happier about his son's budding career. On Sunday, March 9, Littrell's son, Baylee Littrell, auditioned to be a contestant on Season 23 of American Idol, marking a monumental moment for the 22-year-old country singer. During the emotional audition, Baylee sang an original song about wanting to give up, called "Waiting on Myself to Die." The proud dad, 50, was emotional throughout the entire audition, saying that he was "super proud" of his son, who had "obviously grown up in the business and he's cut out for it." Celebrity judge Luke Bryan asked the father-son duo if they ever sang a song together, which prompted Littrell to harmonize with this son. The family affair ended with a golden ticket straight to Hollywood, causing the Backstreet Boys alum to tear up and beam with pride. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell Is 'Super Proud' of Son Baylee, 22, for 'Busting His Butt' on Upcoming Season of Idol During an interview earlier this year with Today , the Backstreet's Back singer shared that his son was going to be starting his own career in the entertainment industry on this season of American Idol. Although Baylee grew up on the road touring with his dad, Littrell told the show that his son was getting a new sense of what it takes to make it in the industry. 'He was just texting me last night, going, 'Dad, dude, how do you do this? Like, it's hard work,' ' Littrell said. 'He's been busting his butt and I'm super proud of him. He kind of gets a new sense of the reality of what this is.' The young musician, whom Littrell shares with actress wife Leighanne Littrell, opened up in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE in April 2023 about growing up on the road and how his dad influenced his music career. Baylee recalled having some "completely out of the ordinary" yet "amazing" experiences while traveling with the iconic boyband. "I got to introduce my dad at five 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. And then that transcended into 2019, being able to go on a 42-show run with them and be the official opening act. That was the experience of a lifetime." Baylee knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue music — dreaming of being the "sixth Backstreet Boy" when he would hang out backstage on tour. While he didn't join his dad's group, Baylee has a vivid memory of his father assuring him he'd have his own successful career one day. "I had to be six or seven at the time and I'd go crash the wardrobe closet and put on their outfits and stuff before shows," he told PEOPLE. "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?' And he put his hands on my shoulders and he was like, 'One day. One day you're going to get your shot.' " Baylee first announced he was going to be on this season of American Idol on Instagram on Feb. 5. The "Lonesome Cowboy" singer shared a picture of the show's infamous sign and added one of him playing the guitar. "Well guys😁recently I had the opportunity to audition for @americanidol 🙏🏼," he wrote in the caption. "Tune in to see the season premiere and what happens on 3/9/25!" Read the original article on People
