The competition on American Idol has intensified as the show whittled contestants down to the Top 24, featuring Baylee Littrell as the sole “nepo baby” in the mix this season.
Baylee, the 22-year-old offspring of Brian Littrell from the Backstreet Boys, faced off against Keilene in a duet showdown during Monday night’s episode.
Both performers chose to cover “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper—making it one of three duets to tackle the hit song—though their rehearsal sessions were far from seamless.
The vocal coaches noted that Keilene’s commanding voice was overshadowing Baylee, leaving him with fewer moments to shine.
This stage of the competition is crucial, as it marks the final instance where judges’ votes determine who progresses, and Carrie Underwood emerged as Baylee’s staunchest advocate.
Underwood revealed she had to champion Baylee’s advancement, suggesting the decision wasn’t without contention. Despite the split opinions, Baylee secured his place in the Top 24, while Keilene’s journey ended, a result that left many fans displeased.
This round also marks the last time the judges votes actually matter, and as it turns out, Carrie Underwood is Baylee’s biggest ‘cheerleader.’
She made it clear that she had to fight for Baylee to move on, hinting it wasn’t unanimous, but he did secure a Top 24 spot while Keilene was sent home, which didn’t sit well with many fans
While one other nepo baby – Carnie Wilson’s daughter Lola – got past the initial audition, she didn’t survive Hollywood week, but now the last remaining nepo baby, Baylee Littrell, is in fact moving on.
While the new duet – who had known each other for mere minutes before teaming up – had struggled in rehearsals, they came together for a powerful performance.
Carrie even admitted that, ‘When you guys were coming out here, I said, “This is interesting. She could bury him.” And that did not happen.’
She added, ‘Baylee, you were more comfortable singing with somebody else. It’s kind of like we got to see a different side of you.’
As they sent the singers away to deliberate, Luke said, ‘Baylee did himself more service than her, but you know, even in the verses, he was real timid with that.’
Lionel Richie added, “I think she scared him to death into going to some place he didn’t know he was going to be able to go to.’
Carrie said that Keilene has, ‘a wonderful gift, you really do,’ adding, ‘it’s been such a tough deliberation. I’m sorry to tell you that your time on American Idol is done today.’
She turned to Baylee and said, ‘Baylee, I am your cheerleader. I believe in you and I had to be very vocal about that.’
While the new duet – who had known each other for mere minutes before teaming up – had struggled in rehearsals, they came together for a powerful performance
Carrie even admitted that, ‘When you guys were coming out here, I said, “This is interesting. She could bury him.” And that did not happen.’
As they sent the singers away to deliberate, Luke said, ‘Baylee did himself more service than her, but you know, even in the verses, he was real timid with that.’
‘I will tell you something that I was told after one of my performances in Hollywood Week. It was not a unanimous decision,’ Carrie said, hinting the decision on Baylee wasn’t unanimous either, and she likely had to convince one of the judges to let Baylee stay.
‘I will tell you something that I was told after one of my performances in Hollywood Week. It was not a unanimous decision,’ Carrie said, hinting the decision on Baylee wasn’t unanimous either, and she likely had to convince one of the judges to let Baylee stay.
‘So, moving forward, I need you to step it up. You are moving forward to the Top 24,’ Carrie told Baylee, before he embraced with his parents.
He told the camera, ‘I’m going to be giving it all I’ve got. Every little last bit of what’s in here is going into the music.’
His father Brian hugged him and said, ‘I love you so much. Good job.’ He also told the camera,’ This is huge. I mean, he’s done things that I’ve never dreamed of.’
Fans were not nearly as thrilled as Baylee’s famous father, including X user @buckleykinard, who said, ‘putting the white boy through, who is a nepo baby girl & has a very weak/thin voice over the powerful vocals of a black woman… yikes don’t like that at all! #americanidol.’
Jen (@Missjen325) said, ‘You got this #AmericanIdol see @brian_littrell cheer his son on.’
Another user dubbed @CJG_TT said, ‘The girl sang better than him tho. It’s not fair. #AmericanIdol.’
Josh Kennon (@skatefan78) said, ‘Baylee Littrell has a 40/60 chance of winning this season… (I think he still gets beaten by one of the exclusively country guys) #AmericanIdol.’
He told the camera, ‘I’m going to be giving it all I’ve got. Every little last bit of what’s in here is going into the music.’
His father Brian hugged him and said, ‘I love you so much. Good job.’ He also told the camera,’ This is huge. I mean, he’s done things that I’ve never dreamed of.’
Fans were not nearly as thrilled as Baylee’s famous father, including X user @buckleykinard, who said, ‘putting the white boy through, who is a nepo baby girl & has a very weak/thin voice over the powerful vocals of a black woman… yikes don’t like that at all! #americanidol.’
Jen (@Missjen325) said, ‘You got this #AmericanIdol see @brian_littrell cheer his son on.’
Another user dubbed @CJG_TT said, ‘The girl sang better than him tho. It’s not fair. #AmericanIdol.’
Josh Kennon (@skatefan78) said, ‘Baylee Littrell has a 40/60 chance of winning this season… (I think he still gets beaten by one of the exclusively country guys) #AmericanIdol.’
Noelle (@noellewes123) shaed a GIF of Kris Jenner, adding, ‘of course the damn nepo baby went through.. #americanidol.’
Brooke (@CrazyBoothSocks) said, ‘Baylee STRUGGLED. Just say “Sweetie, you are going through because your daddy is famous.” #AmericanIdol
Franky (@RKOBlackSwan) said, ‘Baylee And Keiline (sp?) Baylee has some very obvious limitations vocally. Didn’t get to hear enough of Kei. Thought the two did just an OK job. #AmericanIdol’
Steve Olson (@SteveOlson16) added, ‘#AmericanIdol. Did they really just put Backstreet Boys kid through? Not nearly good enough.’
Sofia Toledo (@SOFisticated1) didn’t pull any punches, tweeting, ‘I’ll be the first to say it: Brian (from BSB), your kid can’t sing for (poop emoji). Him moving forward on #AmericanIdol was absolutely POLITICS in the music business, and NOT based off of Talent. He does NOT sing like his daddy, or anything close to it. I SAID WHAT I SAID.
Others like Chelley (@Fiery_Nugget) were thrilled he moved on, tweeting, ‘YESSSSSS AHHHH!!! @littrell_baylee is in the top 24! And those hugs from Brian and Leighanne. I am crying! #AmericanIdol #BayleeTrain #BayleeOnIdol.’
Other fans were annoyed that three different duets used the Shallow song, and they did not hesitate to complain on X.
Brooke (@CrazyBoothSocks) said, ‘Take a shot when you hear Shallow #AmericanIdol.’
Noelle (@noellewes123) shaed a GIF of Kris Jenner, adding, ‘of course the damn nepo baby went through.. #americanidol.’
Brooke (@CrazyBoothSocks) said, ‘Baylee STRUGGLED. Just say “Sweetie, you are going through because your daddy is famous.” #AmericanIdol
Franky (@RKOBlackSwan) said, ‘Baylee And Keiline (sp?) Baylee has some very obvious limitations vocally. Didn’t get to hear enough of Kei. Thought the two did just an OK job. #AmericanIdol’
Steve Olson (@SteveOlson16) added, ‘#AmericanIdol. Did they really just put Backstreet Boys kid through? Not nearly good enough.’
Sofia Toledo (@SOFisticated1) didn’t pull any punches, tweeting, ‘I’ll be the first to say it: Brian (from BSB), your kid can’t sing for (poop emoji). Him moving forward on #AmericanIdol was absolutely POLITICS in the music business, and NOT based off of Talent. He does NOT sing like his daddy, or anything close to it. I SAID WHAT I SAID.
Others like Chelley (@Fiery_Nugget) were thrilled he moved on, tweeting, ‘YESSSSSS AHHHH!!! @littrell_baylee is in the top 24! And those hugs from Brian and Leighanne. I am crying! #AmericanIdol #BayleeTrain #BayleeOnIdol.’
Brooke (@CrazyBoothSocks) said, ‘Take a shot when you hear Shallow #AmericanIdol
Brooke added in another tweet, ‘ANOTHER SHALLOW?! Please make it stop. There are other duets out there. This song wont set ANYONE apart. #AmericanIdol.’
Brooke added in another tweet, ‘ANOTHER SHALLOW?! Please make it stop. There are other duets out there. This song wont set ANYONE apart. #AmericanIdol.’
Duke Loves Rasslin (@DLovesRasslin) said, ‘Another group doing Shallow. They should require different songs with no overlap. #Idol #AmericanIdol
Even host Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) poked some fun at the song, adding, ‘I think after tonight we should all know the lyrics to “Shallow” #americanidol.’
American Idol returns next week with episodes on Sunday and Monday nights from Hawaii.
