12American IdolContestants with Famous Relatives

Mar. 15, 2025

Brian Littrell and Baylee Littrell.Photo:bayleelittrell_music/Instagram

bayleelittrell_music/Instagram

American Idolis a star-making machine, known forturning people off the street into huge pop icons and even Oscar winners. But for some of the people who walk through those doors to audition, they’ve already got a connection to stardom — a famous relative in their family tree.From Brian Littrell’s son Baylee Littrell, who just auditioned for season 23, to Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter Emmy Russell, find out which Idol wannabes and winners had an A-lister in their midst — and whether that was enough for them to make it to Hollywood themselves.

American Idolis a star-making machine, known forturning people off the street into huge pop icons and even Oscar winners. But for some of the people who walk through those doors to audition, they’ve already got a connection to stardom — a famous relative in their family tree.

From Brian Littrell’s son Baylee Littrell, who just auditioned for season 23, to Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter Emmy Russell, find out which Idol wannabes and winners had an A-lister in their midst — and whether that was enough for them to make it to Hollywood themselves.

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Baylee Littrell

Baylee Littrell and Brian Littrell.Disney/Eric McCandless

Disney/Eric McCandless

On March 9, 2025,Brian Littrell’s son Baylee gave an emotional audition to be a contestant on season 23 ofAmerican Idol, performing an original song titled “Waiting on Myself to Die.”

02of 12Emmy RussellDisney/Eric McCandless; Erika Goldring/WireImage"She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she’s just Grandma," Emmy Russell said of the late country superstar Loretta Lynn,during her audition for season 22 ofAmerican Idolin Feb. 2024.The legendary “Coal Miner’s Daughter” singer,who died in 2022 at age 90, passed on a major musical legacy to her family, including the 25-year-old Russell, who impressed the judges with her original song “Skinny.““You’re an A+ songwriter. So was your grandma. You got the gift,” Katy Perry told her, before voting her through to the next round of auditions. “I don’t think you need to compare yourself to what Grandma was. You’re totally different. You shouldn’t give yourself all that pressure.“She eventually made it to the top 5, but was cut before the finale;Abi Carter eventually won that season.

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Emmy Russell

Disney/Eric McCandless; Erika Goldring/WireImage

“She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she’s just Grandma,” Emmy Russell said of the late country superstar Loretta Lynn,during her audition for season 22 ofAmerican Idolin Feb. 2024.

The legendary “Coal Miner’s Daughter” singer,who died in 2022 at age 90, passed on a major musical legacy to her family, including the 25-year-old Russell, who impressed the judges with her original song “Skinny.”

“You’re an A+ songwriter. So was your grandma. You got the gift,” Katy Perry told her, before voting her through to the next round of auditions. “I don’t think you need to compare yourself to what Grandma was. You’re totally different. You shouldn’t give yourself all that pressure.”

She eventually made it to the top 5, but was cut before the finale;Abi Carter eventually won that season.

03of 12Nikko Smithgetty (2)Nikko Smith, son ofMajor League BaseballHall of Famer Ozzie Smith, was a contestant on season 4 ofAmerican Idol.He sang a version ofStevie Wonder’s “All I Do,” receiving a “yes” from judgesSimon Cowell,Paula Abdul, andRandy Jackson.Nikko made it to the top 9 before he was eliminated.Lee DeWyzewas the season 4 winner.

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Nikko Smith

getty (2)

Nikko Smith, son ofMajor League BaseballHall of Famer Ozzie Smith, was a contestant on season 4 ofAmerican Idol.

He sang a version ofStevie Wonder’s “All I Do,” receiving a “yes” from judgesSimon Cowell,Paula Abdul, andRandy Jackson.

Nikko made it to the top 9 before he was eliminated.Lee DeWyzewas the season 4 winner.

04of 12Jordin SparksJohnny Nunez/WireImageJordin Sparks, daughter of former New York Giants football playerPhillippi Sparks, was a contestant on season 6 ofAmerican Idol.She sang a rendition ofCeline Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” for her audition in Seattle, Washington, in which judges Cowell, Abdul, and Jackson all voted “yes.“Jordin went on to winAmerican Idol, and awildly successful music careerfollowed. She has received a Grammy nomination and released chart-topping hits such as 2007’s “No Air” and 2009’s “Battlefield.”

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Jordin Sparks

Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Jordin Sparks, daughter of former New York Giants football playerPhillippi Sparks, was a contestant on season 6 ofAmerican Idol.

She sang a rendition ofCeline Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” for her audition in Seattle, Washington, in which judges Cowell, Abdul, and Jackson all voted “yes.”

Jordin went on to winAmerican Idol, and awildly successful music careerfollowed. She has received a Grammy nomination and released chart-topping hits such as 2007’s “No Air” and 2009’s “Battlefield.”

05of 12Ricco BarrinoGetty (2)Ricco Barrino, older brother of season 3 winnerFantasia Barrino, was a contestant on season 7 ofAmerican Idol.He sang Sam Cooke’s gospel classic, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” for his audition in Dallas, Texas in front of judges Cowell, Abdul, and Jackson.Ricco received a callback before his eventual elimination.David Cookwas the season 7 winner.

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Ricco Barrino

Getty (2)

Ricco Barrino, older brother of season 3 winnerFantasia Barrino, was a contestant on season 7 ofAmerican Idol.

He sang Sam Cooke’s gospel classic, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” for his audition in Dallas, Texas in front of judges Cowell, Abdul, and Jackson.

Ricco received a callback before his eventual elimination.David Cookwas the season 7 winner.

06of 12Lara JohnstonJeffrey Mayer/WireImageLara Johnston, daughter ofDoobie Brothersmember Tom Johnston, was a contestant on season 10 ofAmerican Idol.She sang a version of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do” during her audition in San Fransisco, California, receiving a “yes” from judgesSteven Tyler,Jennifer Lopez, and Jackson.Lara made it to the Hollywood round before she was eliminated.Scotty McCreerywas the season 10 winner.

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Lara Johnston

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Lara Johnston, daughter ofDoobie Brothersmember Tom Johnston, was a contestant on season 10 ofAmerican Idol.

She sang a version of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do” during her audition in San Fransisco, California, receiving a “yes” from judgesSteven Tyler,Jennifer Lopez, and Jackson.

Lara made it to the Hollywood round before she was eliminated.Scotty McCreerywas the season 10 winner.

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Jane Carrey

John Shearer/WireImage

Jane Carrey, daughter of actor and comedianJim Carrey, was a contestant on season 11 ofAmerican Idol.

Jane made it to the first round of Hollywood week before she was eliminated from the competition.

08of 12Shannon Magranegetty (2)Shannon Magrane, daughter of St. Louis Cardinals baseball player Joe Magrane, was a contestant on season 11 ofAmerican Idol.She sangEtta James' “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” during her audition in Savannah, Georgia, receiving a “yes” from Tyler, Lopez, and Jackson.Shannon made it to the top 11 before she was eliminated.Phillip Phillipswas the season 11 winner.

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Shannon Magrane

Shannon Magrane, daughter of St. Louis Cardinals baseball player Joe Magrane, was a contestant on season 11 ofAmerican Idol.

She sangEtta James' “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” during her audition in Savannah, Georgia, receiving a “yes” from Tyler, Lopez, and Jackson.

Shannon made it to the top 11 before she was eliminated.Phillip Phillipswas the season 11 winner.

09of 12Alex Prestongetty (2)Alex Preston,cousin of country starJo Dee Messina, was a contestant on season 13 ofAmerican Idol.He sang an original song titled “Fairytales” for his audition in Salt Lake City, in which he received a “yes” from judgesHarry Connick Jr.,Keith Urban, and Lopez.Preston made it to the top three before he was eliminated. Caleb Johnson was the season 13 winner.

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Alex Preston

Alex Preston,cousin of country starJo Dee Messina, was a contestant on season 13 ofAmerican Idol.

He sang an original song titled “Fairytales” for his audition in Salt Lake City, in which he received a “yes” from judgesHarry Connick Jr.,Keith Urban, and Lopez.

Preston made it to the top three before he was eliminated. Caleb Johnson was the season 13 winner.

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Amelia Hammer Harris

Eric McCandless/GETTY

Amelia Hammer Harris, daughter of “Great Balls of Fire” songwriter Jack Hammer, was a contestant on season 16 ofAmerican Idol.

Amelia made it to the top 24 before she was eliminated.Maddie Poppewas the season 16 winner.

11of 12Claudia ConwayChristopher Willard/GETTYClaudia Conwaywas a contestant on season 19 ofAmerican Idol. Her mother,Kellyanne Conway, was the Senior Counselor during PresidentDonald Trump’s first term, and her father,George Conway, is a retired lawyer and frequent critic of Trump.She sangRihanna’s “Love on the Brain” andAdele’s “When We Were Young” for her audition, in which Bryan votes “no,” and Perry and Richie said “yes.“Claudiamade it to the Hollywoodround before she was eliminated.Chayce Beckhamwas the season 19 winnner.

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Claudia Conway

Christopher Willard/GETTY

Claudia Conwaywas a contestant on season 19 ofAmerican Idol. Her mother,Kellyanne Conway, was the Senior Counselor during PresidentDonald Trump’s first term, and her father,George Conway, is a retired lawyer and frequent critic of Trump.

She sangRihanna’s “Love on the Brain” andAdele’s “When We Were Young” for her audition, in which Bryan votes “no,” and Perry and Richie said “yes.”

Claudiamade it to the Hollywoodround before she was eliminated.Chayce Beckhamwas the season 19 winnner.

12of 12Grace FranklinABC/Eric McCandless; Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesGrace Franklin, granddaughter of the Queen of SoulAretha Franklin, was a contestant on season 20 ofAmerican Idol.She sang her grandma’s classic “Ain’t No Way” and the Fugees version of “Killing Me Softly” during her audition.Despite receiving a “yes” from Perry, both Richie and Bryan voted “no” — advising Grace to put more time and work into practicing.

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Grace Franklin

ABC/Eric McCandless; Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Grace Franklin, granddaughter of the Queen of SoulAretha Franklin, was a contestant on season 20 ofAmerican Idol.

She sang her grandma’s classic “Ain’t No Way” and the Fugees version of “Killing Me Softly” during her audition.

Despite receiving a “yes” from Perry, both Richie and Bryan voted “no” — advising Grace to put more time and work into practicing.

source: people.com