AMERICAN Idol contestants are fuming behind-the-scenes over Backstreet Boy nepo baby Baylee Littrell being the featured favorite on season 23, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.
The son of the world-famous boy bander has been heavily promoted on all American Idol social media accounts, as well as being a prominent figure who scored the most airtime on the season premiere.
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The only child of Grammy-winner Brian, 50, made his debut on the Idol stage during this month’s premiere and was praised by all three judges for shining through while performing side-by-side to his superstar dad.
Judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie were all blown away by Baylee’s audition and sent him through to the Hollywood round with no hesitation.
Though Baylee, 22, is undoubtedly extremely talented, his competitors feel the show is being “unfair” by highlighting him so much when the series’ premise is about finding undiscovered talent that wouldn’t otherwise have a path to stardom.
“I do feel like it’s unfair but that’s the way the industry is. The way the world is, really,” a contestant on this season of American Idol exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
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The singing hopeful added: “Everyone gets along great with [Baylee] so it’s nothing against him personally. He’s talented.
“But isn’t the whole point of this show to give people who have no prior connections or chance of making it a shot?
“Not only is he included but they highlighted him more than any of us. Again, I get it, that’s the way the world works.
“But the question is, is it fair? And the answer to that, to me, is – no.”
They added that there should not be “any kids of celebrities” in the competition.
“Especially someone as successful as a Backstreet Boy, on a show about finding ‘unknown talent’ and making them a star.
“It’s discouraging but you can’t let things like that get you or no one will ever make it.”
Baylee isn’t the only nepo-baby that Idol producers are heavily promoting during season 23.
On Sunday’s episode, 19-year-old Lola, sang the Kacey Musgraves hit Rainbow and in the middle of her audition, brought out her famous mom.
Carnie Wilson, co-founder the iconic pop music trio Wilson Phillips and the daughter of Brian Wilson, is Lola’s mother and stunned the judges when she entered the room.
Like Baylee, Lola also scored a ticket to Hollywood and is expected to make it far in the competition.
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‘HE’S GOT THE IT FACTOR’
Baylee became an early frontrunner after his audition – which showcased him performing an original song that pulled straight from his heartstrings.
A source told The U.S. Sun that producers and the judges “really believe Baylee is going to go far” and become a fan-favorite this season.
“He has the talent and charisma they’re looking for and has been getting Shawn Mendes comparisons.
“Of course, producers are going to capitalize on his dad’s name. His dad has been very supportive and involved with different aspects of the show so he’s up to play ball with the powers that be if it will help his son out.
“At the end of the day, it will be up to the fans how far he goes. Production expects him to be a finalist – if not even the winner.
“So there will be an emphasis on his performances in the pre-taped episodes in the coming weeks,” the insider claimed.
Who are the past American Idol winners?
The previous American Idol winners include:
Kelly Clarkson (2002)
Ruben Studdard (2003)
Fantasia Barrino (2004)
Carrie Underwood (2005)
Taylor Hicks (2006)
Jordin Sparks (2007)
David Cook (2008)
Kris Allen (2009)
Lee DeWyze (2010)
Scotty McCreery (2011)
Phillip Phillips (2012)
Candice Glover (2013)
Caleb Johnson (2014)
Nick Fradiani (2015)
Trent Harmon (2016)
Maddie Poppe (2018)
Laine Hardy (2019)
Just Sam (2020)
Chayce Beckham (2021)
Noah Thompson (2022)
Iam Tongi (2023)
I Want It That Way singer Brian welcomed his only child, Baylee, with wife Leighanne Littrell in 2002 and raised him in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.
Baylee has been outspoken about looking up to his dad his whole life, and even believes his vocal gift was passed down from his hero.
“I believe I get my voice from dad, and hopefully I can do him justice today. 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,” he boasted about his dad.
Brian appreciates the love, having said in the past: “I hope that I can always be my son’s hero. 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.”
American Idol airs on Sundays at 8pm ET on ABC.
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