Just days after fans expressed their outrage over two nepo babies competing on this season of ABC’s American Idol, one of them was sent home.

The audition process for Season 23 came to a close during Sunday’s episode, where 144 singers were sent to Hollywood Week by judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. 

Little did they know that when they got to Hollywood, they’d be facing one of the biggest cuts in the show’s history, with more than half the field being sent home.

Monday’s two-hour episode showcased many of the 144 singers who performed at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

Only 64 would move on to the Showstoppers round next week, and among the 80 singers sent home was one of this season’s two nepo babies, Lola Bonfiglio, the 19-year-old daughter of Wilson Phillips singer Carnie Wilson, and Baylee Littrell, the 22-year-old son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell.

When it all was said and done, the judges were more impressed with Baylee, who moved on after singing a heartfelt original song, though Lola didn’t make it.

Just days after fans expressed their outrage over two nepo babies competing on this season of ABC’s American Idol , one of them was sent home

Only 64 would move on to the Showstoppers round next week, and among the 80 singers sent home was one of this season’s two nepo babies, Lola Bonfiglio (above), the 19-year-old daughter of Wilson Phillips singer Carnie Wilson, and Baylee Littrell, the 22-year-old son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell

Lola was joined by her mother Carnie to sing her 1992 Wilson Phillips hit Hold On for her audition, with Carnie joining her for the Hollywood Week performance, admitting she’s had ‘a lot of trouble sleeping the last two nights.’

Lola performed Birds Of a Feather by Billie Eilish, which her mother clearly enjoyed in the bleachers and drew applause from the crowd.

However, after the performance, judge Luke Bryan noted, ‘there is a little pitchiness in between, like all the spoken stuff she does.’

Carrie whispered to Luke,’ That’s a confidence thing,’ as Lola found her way back to her seat in the arena.

Baylee decided to perform another original song after his successful audition, where his famous father claimed his son was ’10 times more talented’ than he was.

Baylee told host Ryan Seacrest that his father told him, ‘Just be yourself,’ adding that coming from a musical family does ‘open a lot of doors’ but also, ‘creates a lot of animosity.’

This original song he performed was called Hey Jesus, which he wrote after losing his grandmother, which caused him to lose his faith since he took the loss quite hard.

‘My grandma was my best friend. With my dad being away on tour, she would always step in. She understood me like not many people do. My grandma passed away three years ago almost,’ Baylee said through tears.

Lola was joined by her mother Carnie to sing her 1992 Wilson Phillips hit Hold On for her audition, with Carnie joining her for the Hollywood Week performance, admitting she’s had ‘a lot of trouble sleeping the last two nights.’

Lola performed Birds Of a Feather by Billie Eilish, which her mother clearly enjoyed in the bleachers and drew applause from the crowd

Baylee decided to perform another original song after his successful audition, where his famous father claimed his son was ’10 times more talented’ than he was

‘My grandma was my best friend. With my dad being away on tour, she would always step in. She understood me like not many people do. My grandma passed away three years ago almost,’ Baylee said through tears

‘I thought she was gonna be around for moments like this. I never expected to lose her, so when I did, I questioned everything. And I’d pushed away faith, thought I would not find it again. This song kind of helped me find it,’ he said.

He added that his ‘big thing’ was to ‘make this on my own and carve my path’ without using his famous family.

The powerful song earned a standing ovation from the crowd and judges alike, as Lionel Richie said, ‘Boy that’s great lyrics.’

When all of the performances were over, the singers were split into four rooms, two of whom made it to the Showstopper round, and two which were sent home.

When Lola was sent home, she said, ‘This has been such a roller coaster, and I love roller coasters. That’s a fun fact about me. I should have shared that as my fun fact.’

Her mother Carnie told her, ‘You took a chance and you gave it your all and that’s the winner. That means you’re a winner, you know what I mean? That’s the best part of it all.

Baylee embraced with his father Brian and mother Leighanne and said, ‘I’m going to Showstoppers! Let’s go!’ 

Others who moved on were Slater Nalley, Amanda Barise, Thunderstorm Artis, Breanna Nix, MKY, Jamal Roberts, Sonny Tennet, Victor Solomon, Crews Wright, Josh King, and Nina Daig.

He added that his ‘big thing’ was to ‘make this on my own and carve my path’ without using his famous family

The powerful song earned a standing ovation from the crowd and judges alike, as Lionel Richie said, ‘Boy that’s great lyrics’

Others who were sent home include Landynn Kennedy, Insite, Sam Sparks, Carsen Webb, Freddie Mcclendon and Pat Johnson.

After Baylee moved forward, many fans took to social media to express their frustration, since he already had a record deal through his parents’ label.

Becky (@bkstgurl) said, ‘I’m sorry I don’t care WHO your daddy is … if you’ve already had a record deal, you should NOT be allowed to audition for American Idol.’

She was referring to Baylee’s 2019 debut album 770-Country, which was released on his parents’ label, BriLeigh Records.

Baylee was just 14 when he made his Broadway debut in Disaster! in 2016, earning a Drama Desk Award for his performance. 

He also served as the Backstreet Boys’ opening act on their 2019 tour and released EP Vol One in 2022.

Becky added in her tweet, ‘… that’s so not fair to these kids that have no other opportunity other then this show.’

Another X user dubbed @bigsnugga said, ‘nepo babies doing american idol kinda ruins the point of the show.’

Many like Becky (@bkstgurl) said, ‘I’m sorry I don’t care WHO your daddy is … if you’ve already had a record deal, you should NOT be allowed to audition for American Idol’

Another X user dubbed @bigsnugga said, ‘nepo babies doing american idol kinda ruins the point of the show’

Sarah (@theresnoyou) added, ‘ah hell nah there’s a nepo baby on american idol this season. poor people can’t have S**T.’

Matt (@MattWhitekiller) tweeted, ‘remember when American Idol was about Talent and not Nepo babies’

Gabby Baxter (@ms_gabbybaxter) said, ‘I’m watching American Idol and why are nepo babies auditioning for this show?!?!?! Use your resources as a nepo baby!!!!’

Robbyn (@tweetingrobbyn) admitted, ‘I am super salty about the celebrity kids showing up with their parents to audition for American Idol this season… These are the definition of nepo baby because it is expected they will go through & they are using their parents influence #IDOL.’

Kurk (@jacknifejeds) said, ‘lmao like 30 people have sent me that clip of baylee littrell on american idol and it’s sending me how 3 people in the music industry are pretending not to know who he is. also why are nepo babies on a show that was about giving nobodies a chance to become famous.’

Sarah (@theresnoyou) added, ‘ah hell nah there’s a nepo baby on american idol this season. poor people can’t have S**T.’

Matt (@MattWhitekiller) tweeted, ‘remember when American Idol was about Talent and not Nepo babies!’

Noa (@thenoasletter) said, ‘there’s no one on this earth i feel worse for than the nepo babies who have to use american idol to jumpstart your career like why didn’t your mommy get you a record deal for your sixteenth birthday.’

Bri (@bribrisimps) put it simply, ‘Why are you, a nepo baby, auditioning for American Idol?’

Gabby Baxter (@ms_gabbybaxter) said, ‘I’m watching American Idol and why are nepo babies auditioning for this show?!?!?! Use your resources as a nepo baby!!!!’

Alexendra DeWitt (@eastvillagea) said Wilson’s daughter is, ‘needing more time to cook before she’s at the level for American Idol. Nepo baby with no breath support and she was flat frequently. Seems unfair to take a spot from someone better who doesn’t have famous parents.’

Robbyn (@tweetingrobbyn) admitted, ‘I am super salty about the celebrity kids showing up with their parents to audition for American Idol this season… These are the definition of nepo baby because it is expected they will go through & they are using their parents influence #IDOL.’

Shayna (@greycoupon) asked, ‘Why exactly does a music nepo baby need American Idol? I don’t doubt she can sing but I’m sure getting a record contract wouldn’t be hard with her connections anyway.’