LOS ANGELES — LSU online student Baylee Littrell may have exited American Idol before the final round, but his journey on the show has left a lasting mark—not only as a talented singer-songwriter but also as a proud Tiger who found unexpected friendship in a fellow LSU student.
Baylee Littrell, 22, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration: Sports Leadership through LSU Online. He lives in Georgia but says his heart is in Baton Rouge. In fact, he’s made it a top priority to visit Tiger Stadium this year.
“I tried to get to Death Valley last year, but I ran out of time,” Littrell said. “So this year, I’m definitely going.”
Baylee Littrell: Did we just become best friends?
Among the many standout moments on American Idol, one of the most meaningful for Littrell was discovering a connection with another contestant—John Foster—who also attends LSU. The two bonded during the Hawaii round of the competition when they realized they not only shared a stage but shared classrooms, professors, and Tiger pride.
“John Foster and I didn’t really talk that much until we got to the Hawaii round,” Littrell said. “We were talking and he’s like, ‘You go to LSU?’ I said, ‘Well, I go to LSU online.’ He’s like, ‘I go there this year, too!’ It was this wild moment where we both realized, wait—we’re Tigers.”
Their shared LSU background deepened their connection, and Littrell has since become one of Foster’s biggest fans.
“John Foster actually has a really good chance,” he said. “He’s carrying the same kind of buzz that Will Moseley had last year. Our country singers get so close every year, and I think John could go top three—easy.”
American Idol: “I mean, there’s seriously so much good talent”
Littrell said he was impressed by the level of talent on the show this year. He pointed out the amazing vocals of Canaan and Jamal.
“Canaan, I think his voice is just too amazing to pass up,” he added. “Jamal’s voice reminds me of David Ruffin from the temptations. So I could definitely see Jamal winning the show, too.” An online betting poll has Gabby as the favorite followed by Jamal Roberts and Slater Nalley.
The poll predicts Louisiana’s sweetheart, John Foster, to come in 4th place. “I mean, there’s seriously so much good talent. There really is,” Littrell added.
“I want people to hear all sides of me”
While his time on the show has ended, Baylee Littrell says the experience shaped him in ways that went far beyond music. From performing his deeply personal song “Hey Jesus” during the second round, to being part of the show’s first-ever Easter Special, the journey was both spiritual and transformative.
“I feel like I was more guarded before this experience,” Littrell shared. “But this—this makes you lose your guard. It’s vulnerable. And honestly, I made one of my best friends for life—Olivier from New Brunswick, Canada. That’s the kind of connection this show gave me.”
“Hey Jesus,” a song Littrell wrote at age 19 during a difficult season in life, will soon be released. Though it’s a Christian track, he says he hopes to branch into pop music as well.
“Obviously that’s a faith-based song, but I also want to do pop,” he said. “I want people to hear all sides of me.”
Littrell also reflected on performing “All of Me” by John Legend on his elimination night on American Idol, calling it his favorite moment of the competition. But perhaps one of the most emotionally charged performances came when he sang a 9/11 tribute song written by Billie Mann and sang by his father, Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell.
MORE FROM UWK: Watch Littrell’s performance of “Gone without Goodbye”
“My mom was supposed to be on one of the flights that hit the towers,” he revealed to UWK. “She had a bad feeling and stayed behind. My dad also lost a crew member, and my grandfather, who was a volunteer firefighter, helped clean up the site. He passed about 10 years later due to complications from the fumes. That day changed everything for my family.”
Father & Son: Littrell on creating his own legacy on American Idol
Being the son of a music icon, Littrell says, adds a unique pressure.
“It’s always a battle to establish yourself when you’re doing the same thing as your dad,” he said. “I think about Bronny James and what he goes through. People have preconceived notions. So to have my own moment—to step out of that shadow—that means the world.”
Littrell’s journey may have ended on Idol, but his music and his LSU connection are only just beginning.
“I love that John’s carrying the LSU legacy for us this season,” he said. “And hopefully we can get a Tiger to win this thing, right?”
Geaux Tigers.
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