Watch: Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell Joins Son Baylee During American Idol Audition
Freddie McClendon put his father’s tragic story into a song.
During his audition on American Idol, the 19-year-old moved judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie with an original song dedicated to his father, Davis McClendon, who was murdered in May 2023.
“I really started doing it seriously about a year ago. My dad passed away,” Freddie said before singing “You Never Loved Him” during the March 23 episode. “My dad was killed about a year ago in May 2023, and it became a national and statewide news story and a lot of things. Everyone was just kinda focusing on his death and I wanted to tell the story of his life.”
Freddie’s father, Davis, was killed in what police initially believed to be a hit-and-run accident. However, in October 2024, William “Bud” Ackerman—the estranged husband of Davis’ girlfriend Meredith Haynie—was sentenced to 45 years in prison after he was found guilty of intentionally hitting Davis with his truck. The story was highly publicized, after being featured on local news and 48 Hours and Court TV.
For Freddie, his song embodied the man behind the sensationalized story.
“I miss him every day,” Freddie said. “And while you’re already dealing with this death, you have to deal with all these people talking about the person that he was, when they didn’t know him like we did. He was something so much bigger than just the true crime story of the week. He was our dad. He meant the world to us.”
“My dad I had a great relationship,” he added. “And he was a wonderful person. He would do absolutely anything for anybody. We used to just talk about everything. He really understood me.”
After singing his song, Freddie left Carrie in tears as she praised him for being brave enough to tell his story.
“Thank you for bringing that and sharing your heart,” she said. “It’s so brave of you to decide that you want to choose the narrative, that you want to remember him, not what happened to him. You must have an incredibly supportive family. It was a good song, and you could just feel your heart behind it.”
After getting a “yes” from each of the judges, Freddie was offered a trip to Hollywood to continue his American Idol journey.
“I’m so proud that I was able to tell my dad’s story,” he said after securing his golden ticket. “And it meant the world that it resonated with Carrie Underwood and that was incredible. I’m beyond blessed.”
For more on contestants who’ve shared their story while competing on American Idol, keep reading…
Son of the Hall of Famer Major League Baseball player Ozzie Smith, Nikko competed on season 4 of American Idol, singing Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do.”
Nikko made it to the top nine before he was eliminated.
Jordin, daughter of New York Giants alum Phillippi Sparks, competed on season 6 of American Idol. She auditioned in Seattle, Washington, performing Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me.”
She received a yes from judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, and she went on to win the season.
Since competing in 2007, the “Battlefield” singer has dropped several hit songs and received a Grammy nomination in 2009 for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for “No Air,” her duet with Chris Brown and in 2024 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for“Love Me Like I Am” With For King & Country.
In season 10, the daughter of Doobie Brothers member Tom Johnston Lara sang Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do” in a San Francisco, California audition.
She made it to the Hollywood round and was eliminated.
Comedian Jim Carrey’s daughter Jane was a season 11 contestant, singing Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” in San Diego, California.
Jane made it to the first round of Hollywood week before being eliminated.
Former St. Louis Cardinals player Joe Magrane’s daughter Shannon also competed on season 11 of the competition series. She performed a rendition of Etta James’ “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” and received a yes from all three judges.
Shannon secured a spot in the top 11 before she was sent home.
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Gianna, daughter of ‘80s pop star Brenda K. Starr, auditioned forseason 15 of the series. She performed her mother’s hit song “I Still Believe,” and she wowed the judges.
The New Jersey contestant finished with a place in the top ten.
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Amelia, daughter of pianist and “Great Balls of Fire” songwriter Jack Hammer, was a season 16 contestant on American Idol. She performed “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones in Savannah, Georgia, where judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan all gave her a yes.
She secured a spot in the top 24 before being eliminated.
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Claudia, daughter of Kellyanne Conway (former Senior Counselor for President Donald Trump) and George Conway (who served as an advisor to Trump) auditioned for season 19.
Katy announced the audition on a Nov. 16 Instagram story, saying, “Well, well, well, let the games begin because Claudia just tried out for American Idol.”
The influencer sang Adele’s “When We Were Young” and Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain,” receiving a no from Luke, but a yes from both Katy and Lionel. Claudia made it to the Hollywood round before being eliminated.
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Ava, daughter of Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, auditioned for season 20 with Stevie Wonder’s “Lately.” She wowed all three judges, who sent her to the Hollywood round.
She made it to the top 14, singing “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles, but, alas, it was not enough to keep her in the competition.
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Also competing in season 20, would be Leah—daughter of Honeymoon Suite guitarist Derry Grehan—who performed “Steal My Girl” by One Direction in her Nashville audition, securing her a spot in the next round.
She became a finalist for the season, singing “Cover Me” by Bruce Springsteen and her original song “Flowers,” but was eliminated.
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Lyric, daughter of singer Glenn Mederios, auditioned for season 21 in Nashville with the song “Love Me Like You Mean It” by Kelsea Ballerini. However, Katy wanted to see her perform another song more challenging, performing Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.”
Luke voted no, but Katy and Lionel moved her into the next round. Lyric was eliminated shortly after in the Hollywood round.
Bachelor alum Juan Pablo’s daughter Camila auditioned for season 22 of American Idol with a performance of Joaquina’s “Rabia.” But before she sang, Juan admitted he was nervous for his daughter to enter the public eye.
“The opportunity came, she wanted to do it,” he explained. “And I say, ‘I don’t know if you’re old enough.’ That was last year. I’d say, ‘Well maybe next year.’ And then, here she is. So, we’ll see how it goes.”
Lionel voted no when it came to her, but Katy and Luke decided to move her to the next round. However, she was ultimately cut during Hollywood week.
Following in the footsteps of her music legend grandmother Loretta Lynn, Emmy auditioned for season 22 with her own original song “Skinny” about her experience with eating disorders. The performance secured her a golden ticket from Lionel, Katy and Luke, who were all shocked to learn her grandmother’s true identity.
And her mother Patsy Lynn Russell–a member of the country duo The Lynns with twin sister Peggy Lynn–joined her backstage.
“She just wanted to do this honestly,” Patsy said of her daughter’s decision to audition for American Idol. “I think that when you come from a musical family, the shadow is so big. ‘How do I fill those shoes?’ Well the deal is, you don’t. You make your own shadow.”
Katy loved the performance, praising her: “You’re an A+ songwriter. So was your grandma. You got the gift.” Emmy secured a spot in the Top 5 as a season 22 finalist, but ultimately did not win the season.
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Baylee auditioned for the competition series March 9, performing for new judge Carrie Underwood, and returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. He performed his original song, and his father, Backstreet Boys alum Brian Littrell, joined him on stage to sing the chorus.
All three judges voted yes for Baylee, advancing him into the next round of season 23.
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