Baylee Littrell’s emotional response following his American Idol elimination – his unique connection with John Foster, unexpected truths about Jamal Roberts, and more.

LOS ANGELES — Baylee Littrell, an LSU online student, may have been eliminated from American Idol before the final round, but his time on the show left a lasting impression—not only for his talent as a singer-songwriter but also for his unexpected friendship with fellow LSU student, John Foster.

At 22, Littrell is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration with a focus on Sports Leadership through LSU Online. Though he calls Georgia home, his heart belongs to Baton Rouge, and he’s already made plans 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 – American Idol: Building Friendships One of Littrell’s most memorable moments on American Idol came when he connected with John Foster, another LSU student. They bonded during the Hawaii round of the competition when they realized they not only shared a stage but also shared classrooms, professors, and Tiger pride.

“John and I didn’t really talk much until Hawaii,” Littrell explained. “We were chatting, and he asked, ‘You go to LSU?’ I said, ‘Well, I go to LSU online.’ And he replied, ‘I go there this year, too!’ It was a wild moment when we both realized we were Tigers.”

Their shared LSU background strengthened their connection, and Littrell has since become one of Foster’s biggest supporters.

“John Foster has a real shot,” Littrell said. “He’s got the same kind of buzz Will Moseley had last year. Country singers come so close every year, and I think John could easily make the top three.”

Impressive Talent and Future Prospects Littrell was also impressed with the talent this season on American Idol, especially Canaan and Jamal.

“Canaan’s voice is incredible,” Littrell noted. “And Jamal’s voice reminds me of David Ruffin from The Temptations. I could definitely see Jamal winning the show too.” An online poll currently lists Gabby as the favorite, with Jamal Roberts and Slater Nalley following, while John Foster is predicted to place fourth.

“There’s so much good talent this year,” Littrell added. “There really is.”

Beyond the Music: Personal Growth and New Beginnings Although his time on the show has ended, Littrell says the experience was about more than just music. From performing his heartfelt song “Hey Jesus” to being part of the show’s first-ever Easter Special, the journey was both personal and transformative.

“I was more guarded before this experience,” Littrell reflected. “But this made me lose my guard. It’s vulnerable. And I made one of my best friends for life—Olivier from New Brunswick, Canada. That’s the kind of connections this show created.”

Littrell’s song “Hey Jesus,” written when he was 19 during a challenging time in his life, will soon be released. While it’s a Christian song, Littrell also hopes to venture into pop music.

“I want people to hear all sides of me,” he said.

A Family Legacy Littrell’s elimination performance, “All of Me” by John Legend, stands out as his favorite moment on the show. Another powerful moment came when he sang a 9/11 tribute song written by his father, Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys.

“My mom was supposed to be on one of the flights that hit the towers,” Littrell shared. “She had a bad feeling and stayed behind. My dad lost a crew member, and my grandfather, who was a volunteer firefighter, helped clean up the site. He passed away 10 years later due to complications from the fumes. That day changed everything for my family.”

The Pressure of Following in His Father’s Footsteps Being the son of a music legend comes with its challenges, Littrell acknowledges.

“It’s always hard to carve your own path when you’re doing the same thing as your dad,” Littrell admitted. “I think about Bronny James and what he goes through. People have preconceived notions. So to have my own moment—step out of my dad’s shadow—it means everything to me.”

Though Littrell’s journey on American Idol ended, his music career and LSU connection are just beginning.

“I’m proud that John’s carrying the LSU legacy this season,” he said. “And hopefully, we’ll see a Tiger win this thing.”

Geaux Tigers.