Brian Littrell, a member of the Backstreet Boys, expressed his support for his son, Baylee Littrell, who recently participated in American Idol in an attempt to pursue a music career like his father.

In an interview with Parade, Brian shared that the producers of the reality show had been encouraging his son to audition for several years, eventually leading to his participation in Season 23. Brian, however, admitted that he was initially hesitant about the idea and “didn’t want” Baylee to audition.

“It wasn’t my idea at all,” Brian stated. “Honestly, at first, I wasn’t keen on him doing it, but they kept inviting him back each year, saying, ‘Come and audition,’ and his response was always, ‘No, thanks.’ At that point, I didn’t think he was ready, but in the end, he did a great job.”

Brian praised Baylee’s performance on the show, where the 22-year-old country music singer made it to the Top 20. Unfortunately, Baylee did not receive enough votes to make it past the first live show of the season.

“He stepped up. He’s super professional. He’s just a great individual. He’s just a great person. He has a heart of gold, and he’s super talented,” Brian said of his son.

To say Brian has been supportive may be an understatement. The singer crashed his son’s American Idol audition, where Baylee performed an original song as well as a duet with his father for judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan.

“I believe I get my voice from my dad,” Baylee said in his American Idol audition. “And I hope I can do him justice today.” But Baylee clarified he did not inherit his father’s dance moves.

Brian went on to praise Baylee for making it to the Top 20.

“I get choked up a little bit when I talk about my boy,” he admitted. “He’s just [the] most inspiring thing in my life right now. He inspires me more than anything. Top 20 isn’t a bad thing out of 124,000.”

American Idol is streaming now on Hulu.