These 18 American Idol Contestants All Come From Famous Families
Recently, Emmy Russell wowed the American Idol judges with her vulnerable audition performance. She also surprised them with the fact that her grandmother was the late country music icon Loretta Lynn.
RELATED: LORETTA LYNN’S 11-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER PERFORMS “IF I DIE YOUNG” COVER
But Emmy isn’t the only American Idol contestant to come from a famous family. Several contestants with celebrity ties have auditioned for the show in the past. We’ve featured 18 of those singers in this list. Keep scrolling to see them all!
Jordin Sparks, Daughter Of Phillippi Sparks
Today, Jordin Sparks is a major star in her own right. She was only 17 years old when she won Season 6 of American Idol in 2007. Jordin has since released hit songs such as “Tattoo,” “Battlefield,” and “One Step at a Time.”
But did you know Jordin comes from a famous family? Her dad, Phillippi Sparks is a former NFL star! He played for the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys before retiring in 2001.
Alex Preston, Cousin Of Jo Dee Messina
Alex Preston competed on Season 13 of American Idol in 2014. He made it all the way to the finale, and came in third place behind winner Caleb Johnson and runner-up Jena Irene.
Preston has a famous family connection in the country music world. His cousin just so happens to be “Heads Carolina, Tails California” singer Jo Dee Messina!
McKayla Stacey, Daughter Of Phil Stacey
McKayla Stacey auditioned for Season 21 of American Idol in 2023. She came to her audition with her dad, Phil Stacey, who previously competed on Season 6. He ended up finishing within the Top 6 that season.
Phil actually found out the morning of his Idol audition that his wife had given birth to a baby girl. That baby girl was McKayla!
McKayla ended up earning a Golden Ticket after her audition, but was eliminated during Hollywood Week.
Zaréh, Daughter Of Nadia Turner
Zaréh auditioned for Season 20 of American Idol in 2022. She brought her mom, Nadia Turner, who previously competed on show’s fourth season (when Carrie Underwood won). Nadia finished within the Top 10.
Zaréh gave her audition a special touch by wearing the same top her mom wore for her own audition 17 years prior!
All three judges voted “yes” for Zaréh and awarded her the Golden Ticket. She was eliminated during Hollywood Week.
Ava Maybee, Daughter Of Chad Smith
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Ava Maybee auditioned for Season 20 of American Idol in 2022. She advanced all the way to the Top 14 before she was eliminated from the competition.
The young performer has a pretty famous family connection. Her dad, Chad Smith, is the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers!
Kaya Stewart, Daughter Of Dave Stewart
Kaya Stewart auditioned for Season 21 of American Idol in 2023. Her dad, Dave Stewart, accompanied her to her audition.
Dave is a famous musician, songwriter, and record producer. He’s most well-known for being in the British pop duo Eurythmics with Annie Lennox.
Kaya secured a Golden Ticket when all three Idol judges voted “yes” after her audition. But she unfortunately withdrew from the competition during Hollywood Week, citing illness as the reason.
Nikko Smith, Son Of Ozzie Smith
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Nikko Smith auditioned for Season 4 of American Idol in 2005. He made it all the way into the Top 9 before he was eliminated.
It turns out Nikko’s father is a famous baseball star! His dad, Ozzie Smith, played for the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals before retiring from the MLB after the 1996 season. Ozzie was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Ricco Barrino, Brother Of Fantasia Barrino
Ricco Barrino auditioned for Season 7 of American Idol in 2008. He performed the classic Sam Cooke song “A Change Is Gonna Come” for the judges. He advanced beyond the auditions, but was eliminated before the live shows.
Ricco followed in the famous footsteps of his sister, singer Fantasia Barrino. Fantasia won the third season of American Idol in 2004.
Lara Johnston, Daughter Of Tom Johnston
Lara Johnston auditioned for Season 10 of American Idol in 2011 (the season Scotty McCreery won). She earned three “yes” votes following her audition performance of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do.” Lara was eventually eliminated during Hollywood Week.
It turns out that Lara takes after her musical father, Tom Johnston, who is the founder and lead vocalist of The Doobie Brothers.
Jane Carrey, Daughter Of Jim Carrey
Jane Carrey competed on Season 11 of American Idol in 2012. She received three “yes” votes and a Golden Ticket after performing “Something to Talk About” by Bonnie Raitt for her audition. She was eventually eliminated from the competition after the first round of Hollywood Week.
Speaking of Hollywood, Jane grew up in the entertainment industry. Her dad just so happens to be actor and comedian Jim Carrey!
Shannon Magrane, Daughter Of Joe Magrane
Shannon Magrane auditioned for Season 11 of American Idol in 2012. She earned a Golden Ticket and three “yes” votes after performing Etta James’ “Something’s Got a Hold on Me.” She made it into the Top 11 before she was eliminated from the competition.
Shannon is another Idol singer who has a famous athlete in her family! Her dad is former baseball star Joe Magrane. He played for the Chicago White Sox, the California Angels, and the St. Louis Cardinals before retiring in 1996.
Amelia Hammer Harris, Daughter Of Jack Hammer
Amelia Hammer Harris competed on Season 16 of American Idol in 2018. She earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood after her audition, and advanced all the way to the Top 24 before being eliminated.
Amelia’s dad is Jack Hammer, who is known for co-writing Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire.” Jack passed away in 2016, two years before his daughter auditioned for Idol.
Grace Franklin, Granddaughter Of Aretha Franklin
Grace Franklin auditioned for Season 20 of American Idol in 2022. She left the judges stunned when she revealed her grandmother was the legendary “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. Aretha passed away just four years prior, in 2018.
Katy Perry gave Grace a “yes” vote, but Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie voted “no.” They believed she needed more experience and time to grow (she was only 15). Because of this, Grace did not advance to Hollywood Week.
Gianna Isabella, Daughter Of Brenda K. Starr
Gianna Isabella auditioned for Season 15 of American Idol in 2016. She made it all the way into the Top 10 before she was eliminated from the competition.
Musical talent runs in Gianna’s family. Her mother is Brenda K. Starr, the famous R&B, dance, pop, and salsa singer.
Tristen Langley, Son Of Nikki McKibbin
Tristen Langley competed on Season 13 of American Idol in 2014. His mother, former Idol contestant Nikki McKibbin, supported him at his audition. Nikki came in third place on the first season of Idol, which aired in 2000.
Langley earned two “yes” votes and one “no” after his audition, so he received a Golden Ticket. He was eliminated before the live shows started.
Sadly, his mother Nikki died in 2020 at the age of 42.
Haven Madison, Daughter Of Jason Roy
Haven Madison auditioned for Season 21 of American Idol in 2023. She earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood after impressing the judges with her original song, “Fifteen.” Haven advanced all the way into the Top 8 before she was eliminated from the competition.
Haven comes from a musical family. Her dad, Jason Roy, is the lead singer of the Christian rock band Building 429.
Lyric Medeiros, Daughter Of Glenn Medeiros
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Lyric Medeiros competed on Season 21 of American Idol in 2022. She earned two “yes” votes after her audition, and received a Golden Ticket. But she was eventually eliminated during Hollywood Week.
Lyric’s father, Glenn Medeiros, is a singer most well-known for his hits “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” and “She Ain’t Worth It.” He eventually left the music industry and pursued a career in education.
Emmy Russell, Granddaughter Of Loretta Lynn
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Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter Emmy Russell auditioned for Season 22 of American Idol. Loretta didn’t get the chance to see her granddaughter’s Idol performance, since she passed away in 2022 at the age of 90.
Emmy took off her makeup for her audition so the judges could see her most authentic self. She performed her vulnerable original song “Skinny.”
Emmy also spoke about the role Loretta played in her life, saying:
“I was thinking about my grandma, but I was also like, ‘Emmy, she’s with you. Now, it’s your turn.’ I think I’m more like her now than I was whenever I was trying to be her.”
Emmy got three “yes” votes from the judges and earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood. She has since advanced into the Top 24! Watch her audition below, and stay tuned to see where her Idol journey goes next!