American Idol Faces Backlash Over Nepo Baby Favorites

In the latest episode of ABC's American Idol, the competition continues to face backlash over nepotism as Lola Bonfiglio, daughter of Carnie Wilson from Wilson Phillips, was eliminated while her fellow 'nepo baby,' Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell, advanced to the next round. The judges, including Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, were more impressed with Baylee's original song, while Lola's performance received criticism for pitchiness. Carnie Wilson defended her daughter, describing her audition as brave and inspiring, despite acknowledging the negative comments about nepotism surrounding Lola's participation. Contestants have voiced concerns about the fairness of featuring celebrity offspring, arguing that the show should focus on undiscovered talent without prior connections. Baylee has been heavily promoted by the show, leading competitors to feel that the competition is skewed in his favor. They express frustration with the perceived favoritism, highlighting that their aim is to find talent without celebrity ties.