A Backstreet Boys -Son, Maga Daughter

American Idol Kicked Sunday night with his annual promise: To serve as a launch plate for hopeful young musical talent. But some participants already have a lead with a well -known advantage: the descent of a famous family.

Season 23 rolled out his first “Nepo Baby” with Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell, who tried in front of the judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

“There is something about you that looks familiar,” Underwood told 22-year-old Georgia hopeful.

Idol Didn’t hid Baylee’s background, it leaned into it: showing footage of father Brian introduced him on stage and appeared, and a photo of Underwood with Backstreet Boys posters on her wall.

Brian Littrell made the case for his son and said that being offspring to a famous singer is not exactly a fringe. Still, it didn’t hurt his chances either when he served a golden ticket after a performance of an original song, “waiting for myself to die.”

Underwood was impressed and Bryan doubled and invited the oldest Littrell into the audition room for the duet with his son and served praise from all three judges. Bryan praised Baylee Littrell for burning his “own path.”

Idol “Nepo Babies” is nothing new. During the seasons, children come from an entertainment family or background – be it music, acting, sports or politics – and even earlier American Idol Participants have found their way to the judges’ table.

Just last season, Emmy Russell impressed the grandson of the legendary country singer Loretta Lynn, the panel with her performances, including a reproduction of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” She later revealed on an episode of Thrivalist Podcast That it was not her idea to sing her grandmother’s country classic, but the judges’. She eventually came to the top five before she was removed.

Season 20 proved that talent is running in the family when two “Nepo” competitions – Ava Maybee, daughter of Chad Smith, drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Leah Marlene, daughter of Derry Grehan, guitarist for honeymoon suite – sang into the top 10.

Kaya Stewart, daughter of Dave Stewart from Eurythmics, competed in season 21. Actor Jim Carrey’s daughter, Jane, earned a golden ticket in season 11; Aretha Franklin’s grandson, Grace, auditioned in season 20; and Lara Johnston, daughter of the Doobie Brothers lead singer Tom Johnston, also came to Hollywood in season 10. Gianna Isabella, daughter of Brenda K. Starr, was a top competition in season 15 of IdolLike Alex Preston, a cousin to Dee Messina, who cut her own way with independent art in Season 13.

Lyric Mederios, daughter of ’80s pop star Glenn Mederios, who had hits with the songs “Nothing will change my love for you” and “Lonely won’t leave me alone,” Auditioned for the show twice before finally getting through on season 21.

From the political arena, former Donald Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway’s daughter, Claudia, auditioned in 2021, and Ayla Brown, daughter of Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Completed in the top 16 of the show’s fifth season.

Sports families – primarily the children of baseball and football players – also got extra yardage at Idol. Nikko Smith, son of St. Louis Cardinals player and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith had a successful race in season four competing against Underwood. While Shannon Magrane, daughter of Joe Magrane, a cardinal jug, ended 11 in Season 11. Meanwhile, NFL player Phillipp Sparks’ daughter, Jordin Sparks, won season 6.

As for the past Idol Participants, Children of Phil Stacey (season six), Nadia Turner (season four) and deceased Nikki McKibbin (season one) also tried for the judges.

American Idol Shipped Sunday evening at. 20 at ABC.