Loretta Lynns Granddaughter Emmy Russell Wows American Idol Judges in Audition
Emmy Russell, the 25-year-old granddaughter of country music legend Loretta Lynn, stepped into the spotlight on the latest episode of American Idol. With her heartfelt performance of an original song titled “Skinny,” Emmy left judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan in awe.
Emmy Russell, daughter of Patsy Lynn and Philip Russell, auditioned in front of judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan during the show’s Feb. 25 episode.
“She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she’s just my grandma,” Russell said in a clip filmed at Lynn’s estate in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
The 24-year-old, who was called “quiet” by Bryan when entering the audition room, later explained that she believes she’s “a little timid” because “I want to own my voice.”
Emmy Russell Wows American Idol
Perry chimed in, saying that if Russell has her own style of singing like her grandmother did, then she has her “own lane” as a performer.
Russell then sat at the piano to perform an original song called “Skinny,” which she said is about an eating disorder.
“She just wanted to do this honestly — ‘This is who I am and this is what I do and this is my heart,'” Russell’s mom Patsy Lynn, one-half of the country music duo The Lynns with her twin sister Peggy Lynn, said outside the audition room. “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.”
After performing, Perry called Russell an “A+ songwriter” just like her grandmother and said “you’ve got the gift.”
“I don’t think you need to compare yourself to what grandma was — you’re totally different,” she added. “You shouldn’t give yourself all that pressure.”
Richie said Russell had “promise” and asked her to put the big shoes of her family back in the closet, saying “that’s not your size.”
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“We’ve just got to lift you up and get you more confident, and you just need to own it,” Bryan added.
All three judges gave Russell a yes, sending her forward to the Hollywood round as Emmy Russell Wows American Idol.
“I was thinking about my grandma, but I was also like, ‘Emmy, she’s with you. Now it’s your turn,'” Russell said after her audition. “I think I’m more like her now than I was whenever I was trying to be like her.”
Lynn, best known for songs such as “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” died in October 2022 at the age of 90.
A Legacy to Uphold
Emmy Russell, a Nashville-based singer, acknowledged her iconic grandmother’s influence. She introduced herself as someone who sees Loretta Lynn not just as a legendary country singer but also as her beloved grandma.
Despite her initial shyness, Emmy’s vulnerability and talent shone through during her piano rendition of “Skinny.” The song delves into body image struggles and eating disorders.
Katy Perry praised Emmy’s songwriting skills, emphasizing that she possesses the same gift as her grandmother. However, Perry encouraged her not to compare herself to Loretta Lynn, recognizing that their styles are distinct.
All three judges gave Emmy their enthusiastic approval, leading her to tears as she realized she was advancing to the next round in Hollywood, California.
A Musical Journey
Emmy Russell isn’t new to the music scene. Last year, she collaborated with Lukas Nelson, son of country icon Willie Nelson, during a memorial concert for Loretta Lynn. The event, titled Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Loretta Lynn, aired live from the Grand Ole Opry.
Loretta Lynn, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 90, left an indelible mark on country music. Her six-decade career included numerous accolades, such as being the first woman named the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year in 1972 and selling over 45 million records worldwide.
Emmy Russell Wows American Idol promises to honor her grandmother’s legacy while allowing her unique voice to shine. We eagerly await more soul-stirring performances from this talented artist.
