Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter on American Idol was Emmy Russell. She auditioned for season 22 with her original song “Skinny,” earned a ticket to Hollywood, and later performed her grandmother’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on the show.
Who is Emmy Russell?
Emmy Russell is the daughter of Patsy Lynn and Philip Russell, and the granddaughter of country singer Loretta Lynn. Her mother, Patsy, and Patsy’s twin sister, Peggy, performed together as the duo The Lynns. TV Insider reported on Russell’s family music background and earlier tribute performances.
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Russell had already honored her grandmother in music before appearing on the competition: she sang “Memaw’s Guitar,” a tribute to Lynn, and performed “Lay Me Down” with Lukas Nelson at Lynn’s memorial event, according to TV Insider.
What song did Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter sing at her audition?
Russell auditioned with “Skinny,” an original song inspired by her experience with an eating disorder. Her audition aired on February 25, 2024, during season 22, before judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. The song was Russell’s own, not a Loretta Lynn cover. The Los Angeles Times covered the audition and Russell’s effort to define her own musical identity.
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Did Emmy Russell make it through her American Idol audition?
Yes. The judges advanced Russell to Hollywood after praising her songwriting. At the audition, she spoke about wanting to “own my voice,” a goal shaped in part by the expectations that came with being Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter. Her mother, Patsy, offered a concise reminder about finding an independent path: “You make your own shadow.” ABC News reported on the audition and the family’s remarks.
Katy Perry also encouraged Russell not to measure herself against Lynn: “I don’t think you need to compare yourself to what grandma was. You’re totally different.” The Los Angeles Times reported Perry’s response.
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When did Emmy Russell sing “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on American Idol?
On the April 29, 2024 episode, Russell performed Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in a piano arrangement selected by Perry. The song let Russell acknowledge her grandmother’s influence directly; ABC News reported that Russell said she needed to be proud to be Lynn’s granddaughter. ABC News covered the performance.
The two performances showed different sides of Russell’s connection to her family: “Skinny” introduced her as a songwriter with her own material, while “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was a direct tribute to Lynn. Russell’s comments on the show framed those identities as something she could hold together, rather than a choice between family pride and an independent voice.
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