Emmy Russell, granddaughter of the iconic country music star Loretta Lynn, is headed to Hollywood. During Sunday night's episode of American Idol, the 24-year-old songwriter auditioned and captivated judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan with her compelling performance of the song "Skinny."
The judges seemed unaware of Russell's lineage until she introduced herself during the audition. 바카라Growing up, I sang music my entire life. I just love writing. I바카라m 24 years old. Songwriter, I love music. I don바카라t really sing out as much anymore, but growing up I sang on the road with바카라 my grandma바카라s a country singer.바카라
Bryan asked, "Who's your grandmother?"
After surprising the judges with her connection to Lynn, Russell proceeded to show the crew around the country legend바카라s ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. 바카라My family grew up here, my mom grew up here. This is my meemaw바카라s house,바카라 she said. 바카라She바카라s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she바카라s just my grandma, and growing up on the bus and all that was very normal to me.바카라
The judges playfully teased Russell for appearing quiet and shy. 바카라I think there바카라s a reason why I think I am a little timid and I think it is 바카라cause I want to own my voice and I wanna own it,바카라 she explained. 바카라That바카라s why I wanna challenge myself and come out here and really step in and be like 바카라Okay, come on Emmy바카라바카라
Later, Patsy Lynn, Russell's mother and a country singer herself from the duo The Lynns in the 1990s, responded to her daughter's nervousness. 바카라She just wanted to do this honestly [and say] 바카라this is who I am and this is what I do and this is my heart,바카라바카라 she explained. 바카라I think that when you come from a musical family, the shadow is so big. How do I fill those shoes? Well the deal is, you don바카라t. You make your own shadow.바카라
Russell impressed the judges with her powerful vocals and emotional lyrics, including lines such as 바카라Haven바카라t eaten in days/ God I hate how you made me바카라 and 바카라So took a trip around the world to hold the hands of orphan girls/Saw the war, felt the pain, and miracles in his name.바카라
Perry commended Russell's songwriting talents but urged her to exude more confidence in her speaking and performances. 바카라Emmy, you바카라re an A+ songwriter. So was your grandma, you바카라ve got the gift,바카라 she said. 바카라I don바카라t think you need to compare yourself to what grandma was 바카라 you바카라re totally different, you shouldn바카라t give yourself all that pressure. I think you came in like a mouse.바카라
Richie echoed Perry's sentiments, expressing, "My dear, you have promise, and I like your promise. Each one of us is trying to battle something that we바카라re trying to overcome. In your case you have big shoes. Now if I can just get you to put those shoes back in the closet, that바카라s not your size.바카라
Bryan also urged her to embrace her voice, stating, 바카라We just need to lift you up and get you more confident and you just need to own it.바카라
All three judges ultimately voted "yes" for Russell, meaning she'll advance to Hollywood for the next round of competition.
Reflecting on the experience at the end of her segment, Russell shared, 바카라I was thinking about my grandma, but I was also like 바카라Emmy, she바카라s with you and now it바카라s your turn,바카라바카라 she said. 바카라I think I바카라m more like her now than whenever I was trying to be like her. I바카라m really excited.바카라
American Idol airs Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
