On Sunday Night (April 13), Half Of American Idol’s Top 24 Contestants Performed At Disney’s Aulani Resort In Hawaii
Twelve singers took the stage, each hoping to prove they deserved a spot in the next round. Grammy-winning artist Ashanti mentored the singers.
Among the performers was Baylee Littrell, who gave a rendition of Pharrell Williams’s song “Happy.”
Baylee secured his spot in Idol’s Top 24 after a head-to-head sing-off with contestant Keilene Bultron. The two took on the song “Shallow,” and it turned into a tough decision for the judges.
While there were some concerns about Baylee’s stage presence, the panel saw enough potential to move him forward. His biggest advocate on the judging panel appears to be newcomer judge Carrie Underwood, who has continued to push for him to stay in the competition.
Last week, Underwood told Baylee that if he wanted to come out on top, he needed to “step it up.”
Baylee Littrell Performs Pharrell Williams’s 2014 Hit “Happy”
During Idol’s most recent episode, the contestants were at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii to perform a song of their choice.
Since Disney is often called the happiest place on earth, Baylee went with what might be the most fitting song he could, Pharrell Williams’s upbeat track “Happy.”
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In his video package before taking the stage, Baylee shared that “Happy” holds a special place in his heart. When he was just nine years old, he had the chance to perform the song on tour with the Backstreet Boys in front of thousands of people.
Dedicated viewers may remember that Baylee is the son of Backstreet Boy member Brian Littrell, a fact he first revealed during his audition.
When it was time to hit the stage, Baylee brought high energy with his performance. The judges and live audience clapped along as he sang, clearly enjoying every second of it.
What The Judges Had To Say
Lionel Richie was the first judge to give feedback after Baylee’s performance. He pointed out that Baylee finally seemed comfortable on stage. Richie also noted that he wasn’t standing still behind the mic like in past performances and was letting loose, which is something the judges had been encouraging him to do.
Next, Carrie Underwood shared her thoughts, expressing her excitement that they were finally able to see Baylee come out of his shell more.
“I feel like you’re owning your voice and your moment more, and I love seeing that,” Underwood said. “I love seeing you work the stage. I love seeing you interact with the crowd. I want more of that.”
Luke Bryan also told Baylee that he did a “great job” this time around.
Fans will have to wait to see Baylee’s fate in the competition, as no one was eliminated during Sunday night’s episode. The remaining 12 contestants will perform tomorrow, Monday, April 14.
For the first time this season, America will vote to decide who stays and who goes. Four contestants will be sent home at the end of the night.
You can watch Baylee Littrell’s performance of “Happy” in the video below.
