Before her death in late 2022, Loretta Lynn established a sweeping music career as a country singer and songwriter that represented six decades of greatness. Her granddaughter, Emmy Russell, is continuing that lyrical legacy as she participates in American Idol, where she managed to advance to the Top 24.
Lynn was the mother of twin daughters Peggy Jean and Patsy Eileen; Emmy is Patsy’s daughter with Phillip Russell. Emmy’s audition for season 22 of American Idol aired on Sunday, February 25, and both fans and artists alike were stunned and delighted by Emmy’s progress and warm reception. As she embarks on her musical journey, she is determined to honor her grandmother’s memory while also carving out her own path.
Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of the late Loretta Lynn, auditioned for ‘American Idol’ and enjoyed abundant support
25-year-old Emmy entered the performing area for her American Idol audition armed with a song of her own original composition titled “Skinny.” Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie were instantly awed by her performance. According to Us, while they knew they were watching pure talent in front of them, before Emmy’s audition, they did not know she was related to Lynn.
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“Growing up, I sang music my entire life,” she introduced herself, “I just love writing. I’m 24 years old. Songwriter, I love music. I don’t really sing out as much anymore, but growing up I sang on the road, my grandma’s a country singer.”
Bryan then asked who this grooving grandma was, which is when Emmy revealed her connection to Lynn – sort of. “She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she’s just my grandma, and growing up on the bus and all that was very normal to me,” she answered. Despite this connection to the music world, Emmy admitted to feeling “timid.” Her concerns were unfounded, as not only did she earn her place in American Idol, but Emmy also navigated a historic moment in the show.
Emmy Russell progresses in ‘American Idol’ at an unprecedented time
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Following her audition, Emmy took to social media to express her profound gratitude for the opportunities afforded to her and the abundant support she’s received. “This morning I’ve just been flooded with tears of how grateful I am and, honestly, really how humbled,” said Emmy. “It’s crazy how — I don’t know. I’m just feeling super grateful. A lot of gratitude this morning. And thank you for every person that’s been so supportive about my American Idol audition and commenting and sharing it.”
Emmy’s original song “Skinny” has been widely praised for its vulnerable message and emotional tone. It is inspired by Emmy’s real struggle with an eating disorder. After hearing the candid, heartfelt song, Perry called Emmy an “A+ songwriter,” adding, “So was your grandma. You got the gift. 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.”
Part two of the American Idol process aired on Monday, March 31, and it was a particularly memorable and turbulent one. On Sunday night, the pool of contestants dropped from 143 all the way down to 56. Then, on Monday, that number dropped further to just 24. Among them is Emmy Russell. For the next round of competition, she opted for a cover of “More Hearts Than Mine” by Ingrid Andress. Even though the song was not the emotionally fraught “Skinny,” it was still a tearful moment for Emmy because she went after another singer who performed Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough.”
“Someone doing her song, her voice…I almost flashbacked to me being 10 years old and sitting backstage and hearing my grandma sing that song,” shared Emmy. “And then after she was done she would call me up to sing two songs. I miss her.” But Emmy rose to the occasion, composed herself, and gave yet another admirable performance.
When it came time for feedback, Bryan told Emmy, “What we have really wanted out of you from day one is your confidence to grow.” The rising star was visibly anxious about her fate as Bryan continued, “We’ve heard a lot of promising stuff from original music from you, but there’s still this little underlying timid thing. We gotta get your confidence train rolling. We don’t want you to come out here and be something that you’re not.” By that point, viewers could easily cut the tension with a knife. That made it all the more impactful when Bryan finally revealed, “But, you are certainly worthy of being confident. And, I tell you what, I think it’s probably a pretty good confidence to let you know you’re going into the Top 24.”
In light of her rise in the music scene, Emmy has pondered what Lynn would think of her career trajectory, noting that the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” singer wanted her to get into the industry. “I think that she would just be like, ‘Thank you, honey. If you’re going to use your gifts, I’m happy. Please use them,'” mused Emmy. “She was always really mad at me. I was a missionary for five, six years, and every time I’d come back from Brazil, she was like, ‘When are you going to come back and do what you’re made to do?'”
May Emmy Russell continue to do what she was made to do, on American Idol and beyond! The next round of competitions drops on Sunday, April 7.
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