Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of Country Music Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn, got her golden ticket to Hollywood.
The 24-year-old singer and songwriter wowed the judges when she performed an original song, “Skinny,” during her audition on ABC’s “American Idol” on Sunday’s episode.
Ms. Russell, who spoke softly when introducing herself to Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, told the panel that it was a “dream” to try out for the reality singing competition show.
“Tell us about yourself, other than being quiet,” Mr. Bryan said.
“Growing up, I sang music my entire life,” Ms. Russell responded. I just love writing. I’m 24 years old. Songwriter. I love music.”
Then, she mentioned that her grandmother was in the music business.
“I don’t really sing out as much anymore, but growing up I sang on the road with—my Grandma’s a country singer ...”
Mr. Bryan interrupted the Nashville-based singer, asking her the name of her grandmother.
“Loretta Lynn,” she replied.
“Your grandma is what?” Mr. Richie asked.
The audition cut to a clip of Ms. Russell taking viewers on a tour of Loretta Lynn’s ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Ms. Lynn, 90, died in October 2022.
“She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me, she’s just my grandma,” Ms. Russell said in the clip. “And growing up on the bus and all that was very normal to me.”
“I think there’s a reason why I think I am a little timid,” she added. “I think it is because I want to own my voice. I want to own it. That’s why I want to challenge myself and come out here.”
Ms. Perry reminded Ms. Russell that her grandmother “had her own style.”
“If you’ve got your own style, then you have your own lane,” Ms. Perry added.
Ms. Russell’s mother, Patsy Lynn, and other family members waited outside the room while she auditioned.
“I think that when you come from a musical family, the shadow is so big,” Patsy said. “How do I fill those shoes? Well, the deal is you don’t. You make your own shadow.”
Patsy Lynn and her twin sister Peggy Lynn made up the country music duo known as The Lynns. The sisters were the youngest of Loretta Lynn and her husband Oliver Lynn’s six children.
Then, the hopeful singer sat down at the white grand piano where she performed “Skinny,” a song she wrote about eating disorders and body image.
The trio of judges gave their approval for Ms. Russell to compete in the next round of the competition.
“Emmy, you’re an A+ songwriter. So was your grandma,” Ms. Perry said. “You got the gift. I don’t think you need to compare yourself to what your grandma was. You’re totally different. You shouldn’t give yourself all that pressure.”
“My dear, you have promise, and I like your promise,” Mr. Richie said. “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 could just get you to put those back in the closet, that’s not your size.”
“We just gotta lift you up and get you more confident,” Mr. Bryan said. “You just need to own it.”
Ms. Russell was brought to tears when the judges told her she was “going to Hollywood.”
Weeks after Loretta Lynn’s death, Ms. Russell took the stage after a five-year absence to honor her late grandmother at “Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Loretta Lynn.”
She sang “Lay Me Down,” a duet with Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson’s son.
“It’s just a really special time because she was the person who introduced me to music and believed in me,” Ms. Russell told CMT at the time. “So, it’s cool to sing it for her as I start my career.”
