The legendary Loretta Lynn left her mark on the world as one of the most highly awarded women in country music history. Throughout her career, the singer-songwriter had six decades of hits, which will continue to live on. She died in Oct. 2022 at age 90, leaving behind a legacy in the music world — and at home.
The “You Ain’t Woman Enough” singer had six kids and several grandkids and great-grandkids, including 24-year-old Emmy Russell (the daughter of Lynn’s daughter Patsy Lynn and her husband Philip Russell). Emmy is a singer-songwriter in her own right, and she recently celebrated her grandma’s legacy — and her own talent! — in an American Idol audition.
American Idol and Loretta Lynn’s official Instagram account shared a clip of Russell’s audition in an Instagram video on Sunday. Emmy looked beautiful in a green hoodie and jeans as she graced the Idol stage and greeted judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie. She quietly introduces herself, revealing that she has “sang music my entire life” growing up in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Growing up I sang on the road with — my grandma’s a country singer, so I kind of grew up, like, singing,” she explained.
“Who was your grandma?” Bryan asked.
“Loretta Lynn,” she responded.
“Oh, wow!” Bryan said.
“Your grandma is … what?” Richie said, seemingly flabbergasted.
“Oh, wow,” Perry added.
The clip then cut to throwback photos of Emmy as a baby with her grandmother and a current-day video of Emmy giving a tour of her “Memaw”’s house, which has been converted to a museum where fans can come visit.
“She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me, she’s just my grandma,” Emmy tells the cameras in an interview. “And growing up on the bus and all that was very normal to me.”
Emmy wrote a song called “Skinny” about eating disorders that she performed for the judges. She sang the heart-wrenching song on the piano, and you could see how moved the judges were. It’s absolutely beautiful, and you need to listen to it HERE.
The judges clearly agree, because they had nothing but praise for the singer.
“Emmy, you are an A+ songwriter. So is your grandma, you got the gift,” Perry said. “I don’t think you should compare yourself to what grandma was. You’re totally different.” Her grandmother would be so proud, and we can’t wait to cheer for her on this journey — because she obviously made it to the next round!
Emmy posted about the experience on Instagram on Sunday, sharing a photo of her holding a golden Hollywood ticket. “Oh my gosh … Will you Join me on this adventure?!” she captioned the post. “Very thankful at the moment. ???????? Excited to do this with y’all. Here we goooooooo!!! #idol @americanidol.”
The same day, Emmy released a new song to celebrate the monumentous moment. “Woah ???? There are a lot of new people here. So thankful, so so thankful. Y’all have no idea!” she wrote on Instagram. “I was talking to some friends and they convinced me it’s a good idea to release a new song today! Hope you like it ???????? stream it everywhere – #original #song #music #idol.”
Today, she posted an update to Instagram to share how thankful she is. “I just wanted to get on here and say a big thank you. This morning I’ve just been flooded with tears how grateful I am and just how humbled,” Emmy said in part.
American Idol wasn’t the first time Emmy sang live. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut in April 2023, per Taste of Country, where she sang “Memaw’s Guitar.” She also sang onstage at a celebration of life for Lynn that aired on CMT in Oct. 2022. Emmy’s audition on American Idol premiered Feb. 25. Watch her journey — and the rest of the competitors — on new episodes every Sunday.
These Hollywood grandparents aren’t baking cookies or playing Bingo — they’re in their prime of life.
