Singer Emmy Russell quickly became a fan favorite during Season 22 of American Idol, winning over the audience from the moment she auditioned.
The Tennessee native took a bold step by performing an original song, and it ultimately set her apart from much of the competition. She ended up receiving a “yes” from all three judges with her track “Skinny,” which was a very personal song about the eating disorder she battled in her younger years.
Needless to say, Emmy became known for her vulnerability and honesty, and she made sure to show that in her performances and music.
But there was another thing that made her stand out to the judges and viewers at home. During her audition, she revealed that she is the granddaughter of country music star Loretta Lynn. Coming from a very musically inclined family, Emmy has had the privilege of touring and performing alongside her late grandmother many times throughout her life.
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It’s undoubtedly a big deal to be related to someone as legendary as Loretta Lynn, especially when you’re trying to make your mark in the music world. However, Emmy was determined to carve her own path and wanted to succeed because of her separate talent.
So, when the judges asked Emmy to sing a Loretta Lynn song later on in the competition, she wasn’t exactly thrilled about it.
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The Moment On ‘Idol’ That Left Emmy Russell “So Mad”
Recently, Emmy appeared on The Trivalist Podcast, where she opened up about the time she performed her grandmother’s iconic hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter” during the Top 8 round.
At this point in the competition, the judges gave each contestant three songs to choose from. For Emmy, one of the song options was her grandmother’s. In the end, she had no choice but to perform it, even though she didn’t necessarily want to.
“Judges picked three songs, and the only one I knew was ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter,'” Emmy recalled. “I just remember seeing that and I was… so mad.”
Although she was concerned that people might think she was using her famous family connection to get ahead, Emmy pushed through and gave her best performance, while also giving a special tribute to her grandmother.
“I just felt that still, small voice saying, ‘I need you to stay, and I need you to show up,'” she said. “And I got on the piano and I played ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ for the vocal coaches. It was just how I wanted to play it. I had this entire vision for it.”
By the end of it all, Emmy proved she had what it takes. She made it to the Top 5 of the competition before being eliminated.
Watch Emmy talk about having to perform “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on American Idol in the video below.