Watch: Granddaughter of Loretta Lynn brings American Idol judges to tears with tribute to grandma
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(WJW) – Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of country legend Loretta Lynn, took to the “American Idol” stage on Monday night as a coal miner’s great-granddaughter and sang her grandmother’s hit song “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
In Monday’s episode, judge Katy Perry chose the song for Russell as part of the episode’s judges’ song competition.
Click here to watch Russell’s full performance.
In a behind-the-scenes package before her Monday performance, Russell said she knows the song “like the back of her hand.”
“I love singing from the heart, and I think this is a perfect song for that. I mean, it’s my grandma’s song. Can’t get much closer to the heart than your own blood,” she said.
AMERICAN IDOL – “715 (Judge’s Song Contest)” – The Top 8 perform one of three songs secretly selected by Luke, Katy and Lionel, who are each competing for most songs chosen. America votes live for the Top 6, and the judges make a save for the Top 7; plus, a special tribute to Idol alum Mandisa. MONDAY, APRIL 29 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) EMMY RUSSELL AMERICAN IDOL -“714 (Shania Twain Mentors the Top 10 on Songs From Their Year of Birth)” – Country music icon Shania Twain mentors the Top 10 who perform songs from their birth years, all vying for a spot in the Top 8 as America votes live. 2011 winner and bestselling superstar Scotty McCreery performs. 2020 winner Just Sam also performs. SUNDAY, APRIL 28 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) EMMY RUSSELL Country music legend Loretta Lynn was known for her song and autobiography âThe Coal Minerâs Daughter,â which became a hit movie. (David McClister/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 13: Loretta Lynn poses with her Cracker Barrels Country Legend Award at The Loretta Lynn Ranch on September 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for Cracker Barrel) CIRCA 1960: Loretta Lynn holds her acoustic guitar as she poses for a portrait wearing a cowboy hat, a scarf and western shirt outside a log cabin in circa 1960. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) MEMPHIS – OCTOBER 7: Loretta Lynn performs on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW at the State Fair in Memphis, Tenn. October 7, 1970 (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
The 25-year-old also said that she’s “proud to be a coal miner’s great-granddaughter.”
A tearful Katy Perry said after the performance:
“You are Emmy Russell and you can do anything now as Emmy Russell.”
At the end of the episode, she was voted through as one of the top seven contestants who will get to compete again.
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After her performance, Russell took to Instagram where she posted a photo of herself on stage, saying, “Felt like myself tonight on @americanidol … thank you all for the support. Guys.. top 7 what… thank you … I love you and I see your comments and I can’t wait to reply.”
Earlier this month, Russel told PEOPLE about the song “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “I just love that one so much. Since she is gone, I love the line, ‘Nothing left here anymore except the memory of the coal miner’s daughter.’ That line now that she’s gone … it hits me,” she said at the time.
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Loretta Lynn passed away at the age of 90 in October 2022.
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