“I just want people to know, hey, just come to Jesus. If you feel that need, I’m not going to shove you, but I’m going to give you a nudge and I hope that you see it.” — Baylee Littrell

When Baylee Littrell first stepped onto the American Idol stage, millions watching may have only known him as “the son of Brian Littrell from the Backstreet Boys.” But after his emotional performance of his original song “Hey Jesus,” it became clear that Baylee was carving a path that had little to do with his famous last name — and everything to do with his faith, vulnerability, and a calling that has been uniquely his own.

I had the chance to sit down with Baylee shortly after his Idol run, and what struck me most wasn’t just his talent — it was his heart. His willingness to be real. His commitment to using his platform for something bigger than himself.

“I’ve been doing music on my own for really the past, like six years, seven years, mostly spending my time in Nashville and touring,” Baylee told me. “But it just never was really working out like I had hoped. I was never getting the big break that I needed or the exposure.”

For four years, American Idol had pursued him to audition. Each time, he turned them down, held back by fear. “I didn’t want to be a viral bad moment on American Idol,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to not get the golden ticket. I was terrified to be vulnerable.”

Ultimately, it was the realization that playing it safe was holding him back that pushed him to step out of his comfort zone. “What happens, happens,” he said simply.

Being vulnerable wasn’t just something Baylee talked about; it became the theme of his entire journey. “Always be aware of just being vulnerable and personal,” he reflected. “Showing humility is what America wants to see. People want to see real, well-rounded individuals. They want to see people’s souls come out in their music, in their personality.”

Most contestants stick to familiar covers. Even those who perform originals often lean on catchy love songs or radio-friendly pop. But Baylee went a different route — he chose to share a deeply personal anthem of struggle, faith, and surrender.

“This song truly, like I wrote it in a very dark time in my life,” he explained. “It’s more about the struggle with faith, the struggle with finding your way. A big common misconception is that God won’t let us fall down. But falling is part of the journey.”

He penned “Hey Jesus” at 19 years old during a season of writer’s block, loneliness, and spiritual searching. “I felt this presence say, ‘Write something for Me. Write something useful. Write something you want the world to hear.'” And so he did.

Choosing to perform “Hey Jesus” wasn’t easy. Baylee wrestled with the decision. “I was afraid to ruffle feathers,” he admitted. “But my mom told me, ‘This is your journey. Ruffle any feathers you need to.'”

He knew he had an opportunity to impact people in a way that mattered. “I thought, I might as well hopefully try to bring some people to God while I’m here. Or just uplift some people.”

The response to “Hey Jesus” proved it was the right choice. The performance went viral, resonating far beyond Idol’s typical audience. Baylee bore his soul and people connected with it in a powerful way.

Of course, for Baylee, navigating a career in music comes with unique challenges. “People barely know my name. They just know my background or where I come from,” he said honestly. “It’s definitely hard. During my time in the industry, people would try to sign me, then find out where I come from, and never talk to me again.”

It’s the opposite of what most people assume. “Everyone thinks, ‘Oh, why doesn’t your dad get you a record deal?'” Baylee laughed. “My dad looked at me and said, ‘These people really have no idea.'”

Despite the hurdles, Baylee remains proud of his family and the legacy they carry. “I never tried to capitalize on it. I’m just doing what I feel that I should be doing.”

That authenticity shows — especially in the musical choices he made on Idol. Instead of leaning into the Backstreet Boys catalog, Baylee chose to highlight a deeper part of his dad’s career, performing “Gone Without Goodbye” from Brian Littrell’s 2006 Christian solo album, Welcome Home.

“I wanted to highlight my dad in that moment,” Baylee said. “I see so many people come up to him and talk about how his Christian record helped them.”

The song carries deep personal significance for their family, especially given their close connection to 9/11. Baylee shared that his mother was supposed to be on the second plane that hit the towers but missed her flight. His grandfather, a first responder, later suffered health complications and passed away from the effects of the cleanup efforts. “Any chance I get to tell their story or their pain, I want to highlight that to people so they really know,” he said.

During our conversation, Baylee also took a moment to compliment CCM Magazine and the article we posted after his Idol performance. “There was no greater article that I felt more honored to be covered by than you guys,” he said. “I really appreciate it.”

As for what’s next, Baylee is moving quickly. “I’m releasing ‘Hey Jesus,'” he shared excitedly. “I’m going in the studio today to put some harmonies on it and hopefully get it out in the next month.”

He’s also working on new music, seizing the momentum while it’s fresh. But don’t expect him to box himself into a single genre. “I want to be someone who can do both,” he said. “Writing songs that are a love letter to God is very special. But just because you’re not a ‘Christian artist’ doesn’t mean you can’t release faith-based music.”

Baylee pointed to artists like Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake as examples of crossing over without compromising faith. “By doing both, you’re drawing people towards it. You have people acknowledging God without them even knowing.”

It’s a hopeful time for artists like Baylee. Christian music is seeing a resurgence, not just in churches and festivals, but on mainstream stages, radio, and streaming platforms. Thousands upon thousands of people have already connected with Baylee’s music through his “Hey Jesus” performance and the articles that followed.

And while Baylee is focused on forging his own path, he couldn’t help but share his excitement about the upcoming Backstreet Boys residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas. “Millennium is always the pinnacle of Backstreet Boys history,” Baylee said. “But the Sphere is the new pinnacle. In 20 years, when people talk about the Backstreet Boys, they’re going to talk about the Sphere show.”

He plans to set up shop with his parents for two weeks, catching as many shows as he can. “You can’t kick me out,” he laughed. “I’m staying with you and Mom and going to every show.”

Based on our conversation, it’s clear that Baylee Littrell isn’t just another second-generation artist chasing fame. He’s a young man chasing something much bigger.

“There’s a kingdom waiting for you,” Baylee said. “There’s a God waiting for you. All you have to do is trust Him.”

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