Former ‘American Idol’ Star Emmy Russell Shares Backstory Of Singing Grandma Loretta Lynn’s Song On The Show

On a recent appearance on The Thrivalist podcast with Jamie George, former American Idol contestant Emmy Russell revealed that she was initially reluctant to perform her grandmother Loretta Lynn‘s iconic song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” on Season 22 of the show. Russell was frustrated when the judges selected the track for her, but the 26-year-old singer ultimately delivered a poignant rendition of the country classic on the piano as a tribute to her grandmother, who had recently died. “When I saw the song choice, there was immense sadness because she just passed away very recently,” she said. “I wanted to do it more like an ode, almost like a way of hugging her. I’m literally just a granddaughter singing this song to her grandma.” Russell finished in the Top 5 that season, and has since welcomed her first child and will be opening for Megan Moroney this April in Knoxville, Tennessee. (People)