Why ‘Idol’ Alum Emmy Russell Was ‘So Mad’ She Had to Sing Loretta Lynn Song

Former “American Idol” star Emmy Russell revealed that it wasn’t her idea to perform “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on the singing competition in April 2024. Since her grandmother, Loretta Lynn, made the song famous, the “Idol” judges picked it as a fitting choice.

The ‘American Idol’ Judges Gave Emmy Russell 3 Song Options

Russell, who competed on season 22 of “American Idol,” performed “Coal Miner’s Daughter” as a tribute to her late grandmother. The singer admits that it wasn’t her choice, however.

In a February interview with “The Thrivalist Podcast” with Jamie George, Russell said she was “so mad” that she didn’t have much of a say in the performance.

“So on ‘American Idol,’ I did my grandma’s song,” she said. “Well, they actually let the judges pick three songs. And the only one I knew was ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter.'”

She added, “I’m already facing so much, trying to act in courage, and I just remember seeing that and I was so mad. I was like, ‘No.'”

The song was selected by judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. Russell’s other choices were “Here You Come Again,” by Dolly Parton, and “Suddenly I See,” by KT Tunstall.

‘Idol’ Singer Felt the Song Would Fuel Nepotism Claims

Russell went on to share how singing the song felt like it “was just going to add to” the claims that she was on the show because of Lynn’s fame as a country singer.

“It was weird because I still felt that still small voice say, ‘I need you to stay and I need you to show up,'” the singer shared.

“And I got on the piano and I played ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ for the vocal coaches … and it was just how I wanted to play it,” the “American Idol” alum said.

Russell, who performed the song while playing piano, tapped into the vibe of “Hunger Games” and the character Katniss Everdeen.

At the time, she shared on the show that her grandmother’s song brought “immense sadness.”

“When I saw the song choice, there was immense sadness whenever I saw it because she just passed away very recently,” Russell said at the time. “I mean, it’s my grandma’s song. Can’t get much closer to the heart than your own blood.”

She continued, “I know ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ like the back of my hand and so I think I want to do it more of like an ode, almost like a way of hugging her. I’m literally just a granddaughter singing this song to her grandma.”

Russell added, “I need to be proud that I am a granddaughter of Loretta Lynn.”