‘Proud to be a coal miner’s great-granddaughter’: Emmy Russell pays homage to Loretta Lynn on ‘American Idol’

KENTUCKY ( FOX 56 ) — The world was introduced to Emmy Russell , 24, through her emotional “American Idol” audition in Nashville in February.

Emmy has continued her “American Idol” journey, now landing a spot in the top seven with the help of her late grandmother.

If you aren’t familiar, Emmy is an heir to country music royalty, her grandmother being the famous “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Loretta Lynn.

Lynn emerged to fame from Butcher Hollow. As FOX 56 has previously reported , she was one of eight children brought up in the impoverished coal mining industry and went on to become one of the most influential women in country music. Her career spanned 60 years, and she became the first woman to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award. She went on to win four Grammys and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Now her granddaughter, Emmy, is following in her footsteps.

In Emmy’s spotlight from Sunday’s episode, she recalled feeling an immediate connection to coach Katy Perry in her tearjerking audition .

“She’s just really been encouraging,” Emmy said. “That was one of my favorite memories; I’ll forever remember that.”

The judge’s song contest returned for Season 7, where the three judges each anonymously chose a song for the artist to pick from to perform. At the end of the episode, the judge with the most selected songs wins, according to “American Idol.”

As Emmy looked at the screen, she had three songs to choose from, but the final choice was made obvious.

“Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Ryan Seacrest said ironically. “Do you know that artist?”

“I love singing from the heart, and I think this is a perfect song for that,” Emmy said. “When I saw the song choice, there was, like, immense sadness whenever I saw it because she had just passed away very recently. I mean, it’s my grandma’s song—can’t get much closer to the heart than your own blood.”

Akin to her Nashville audition , Emmy performed her grandmother’s hit song sitting at the piano.

“I think I want to do it more like an ode, almost like a way of hugging her,” Emmy said. “I’m literally just a granddaughter, singing a song to her grandma.”

In rehearsal, Emmy was brought to tears once again.

“Every time I sing it, I cry,” Emmy said. “She’d always end the show with this song.”

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Fittingly, Emmy’s performance closed out Sunday’s episode, bringing the audience and fellow contestants to tears, then being greeted with a standing ovation.

“I chose this song not because Loretta Lynn is your grandma,” Perry said, fighting back tears. “I chose this song because you are Emmy Russell, and you can do anything now as Emmy Russell.”

A full circle moment, tying back to her audition, where Perry moved Emmy to tears as she stepped out on her own and found confidence in her talent and identity.

After votes from viewers concluded, Emmy was safe and moved onto the top seven, with Perry winning the judge’s competition.

“I am Emmy Russell, I am 24 years old, and I am proud to be a coal miner’s great-granddaughter,” Emmy said.

Watch Emmy’s ode to Loretta Lynn here .

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