Brian Littrell Family Guide: Wife Leighanne, Son Baylee and More

Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell knows all too well that music is in the family.

The crooner is the father of recent American Idol contestant Baylee Littrell and the cousin of fellow Backstreet Boys singer Kevin Richardson. He was wildly supportive of his son’s audition for the popular reality series — so much so that he even showed up to sing a song with him.

Baylee chose to sing an original song he described as “emotional” as part of his audition, and his dad joined him for the chorus. “I don’t know what to do anymore / I seem to be all alone in this war / Always by myself with no one by my side,” the pair sang. “What to do, what to do with my life / It seems I have no more tears left to cry / Misery takes my time / I’m waiting on myself to die.”

It’s clear that Brian is all about family. Here’s everything to know about his wife, son and cousin:

Related: Brian Littrell Cries Over Son’s ‘Idol’ Audition, Performs Surprise Duet

Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell got emotional watching his son, Baylee Littrell, chasing his American Idol dreams. The 22-year-old’s audition was shown during the Sunday, March 9, premiere of the singing competition’s 23rd season. New judge Carrie Underwood said she noticed something “familiar” about Baylee before he revealed his dad’s identity. “You must forgive me, […]

Leighanne Littrell

Brian and Leighanne dated for two years before getting married on September 2, 2000. The pair actually met at work: Leighanne was an extra on the set of the Backstreet Boys’ music video for “As Long as You Love Me.”

The duo celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with a special dinner in 2020. At the time, Brian told People their relationship has demanded “a lot of communication and a lot of trust.”

He added, “Nothing is ever peachy keen and perfect all the time, but being able to grow together instead of growing apart is the big thing.”

Leighanne also told the outlet, “One of the things I loved about him when we first met was if we ever had a problem, he had this willingness to do better for the relationship. It’s that much more now, and he’s grasped again what I loved.”

Baylee Littrell

Brian and Leighanne welcomed their only child, son Baylee, on November 26, 2002. Like his dad, Baylee has waded into the music industry — and he’s had a good bit of success along the way.

Baylee made his debut on Broadway in the musical Disaster! when he was only 13 years old, and he also began opening for the Backstreet Boys at the age of 9. Baylee joined the 23rd season of American Idol in 2025 and was eliminated from the show in April of that year after making it to the top 20.

During his audition for the show, Baylee told the panel of judges he was initially intimidated by the idea of performing. “Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary because his career to me is one of the most extraordinary in music history. No one can ever compare,” he explained. “I remember being 8 or 9 years old and they sold out this huge arena and I got to open up for them. I just had my two little songs and I came off stage, and when the guys went on, the screams and the lights went down. I was just mesmerized.”

Brian remained supportive of his son after his elimination from the show. He responded to his son’s elimination via Instagram, writing, “Bubba I am and always will be in your corner. You are so strong and so very talented, and inspire me every day. It’s never the end, only the beginning for so many to be blessed by your gifts….. you killed it last night. 🔥❤️.”

Related: Brian Littrell Cries Over Son’s ‘Idol’ Audition, Performs Surprise Duet

Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell got emotional watching his son, Baylee Littrell, chasing his American Idol dreams. The 22-year-old’s audition was shown during the Sunday, March 9, premiere of the singing competition’s 23rd season. New judge Carrie Underwood said she noticed something “familiar” about Baylee before he revealed his dad’s identity. “You must forgive me, […]

Kevin Richardson

Richardson, who is Brian’s cousin, saw an ad looking for young men to be part of the Backstreet Boys in the early 1990s and asked Brian to come audition with him. He stayed with the Backstreet Boys until 2006, when he briefly left the group to pursue more family time and solo work.

Richardson rejoined the group two years later and has remained with the Backstreet Boys since. Outside of the group, he is one of the founders of The Music Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky, and has worked as a model.