Legendary country singer Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell, made her debut on Sunday’s episode of “American Idol” singing an original song.
Prior to her performance, Russell, 25, is seen touring her late grandmother’s ranch in Hurricane Mills in Tennessee showing everything from Lynn’s old bedroom to her writing room.
“She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me, she’s just my grandma,” Russell says. “Growing up on the bus — and all that — was all very normal to me.”
Prior to Russell’s audition, Luke Bryan referred to her as “quiet.” After discovering that Lynn is Russell’s granddaughter, she told the judges she believes her timidness comes from her wanting to find her own voice.
For her audition, Russell performed an original ballad she wrote titled “Skinny” which she said was about an eating disorder.
Following Russell’s moving performance, Katy Perry called Russell “an A+ songwriter,” saying that she got “the gift” from grandmother, but told her that she doesn’t need to compare herself what Lynn did.
“You have promise,” Lionel Richie said to Russell. “And I like your promise. Each one of us is trying to battle something that we’re trying to overcome. In your case, you have big shoes. Now, if I can just get you to put those shoes back into the closet. That’s not your size.”
“We just got to lift you up and get you more confident, and you just have to own it,” Bryan added.
Following unanimous praise from all three judges and encouragement from Perry to speak up, Russell nearly broke down in tears after being given the golden ticket and advancing to Hollywood.
Following the episode, Russell shared a post on Instagram holding her golden ticket up, writing that she is “very thankful” for the opportunity.
Even though this episode was her “American Idol” debut, this is not Russell’s first time performing on a major stage.
According to another one of her Instagram posts, she made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry last April to honor her grandmother on her birthday.
“I use to run from my family heritage and wanna make my own path,” she wrote, before adding that she was “not ashamed anymore” being connected to her grandmother’s legacy.
Russell also performed “Lay Me Down” with Lukas Nelson at her grandmother’s celebration of life in October 2022.
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NJ Advance Media staff writer Katherine Rodriguez contributed to this report.
Saleah Blancaflor may be reached at sblancaflor@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @saleyley and Instagram.