On the Sunday, February 27th episode of American Idol, viewers were introduced to a timid 24-year-old girl by the name of Emmy Russell.
While meeting judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, Emmy explained that while she does not play live much currently, she loves to write songs and she grew up on the road with here grandmother, who is a country singer.
Intrigued, the judges asked who her grandma was. She replied, “Loretta Lynn,” as though it was no big deal.
All three judges had big reactions, seeing as Loretta Lynn was a legendary singer-songwriter who paved the way for many female country singers.
What did Emmy Russell sing for her Idol audition?
Emmy performed an original song titled “Skinny,” which she wrote about eating disorders.
RELATED: Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Emmy Russell Wows With ‘Idol’ Audition
The judges praised her for her songwriting ability, comparing her to her grandmother, but letting her know that it’s okay for her to be a star on her own as well. This led to some tears from Emmy, who was emotional over being seen as just “Emmy” and not Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter.
She wanted to be seen as herself so much that she took off all her makeup before her audition.
“I did have a lot of makeup on for the first…whenever they were taking pictures at the beginning,” she admitted. “By the time that my audition came, I took it all off because I really wanted to be myself and feel like if I got a ‘yes,’ I got a ‘yes’ for me.”
Emmy almost didn’t audition for the judges.
As most fans know, there are several rounds of auditions before a singer will perform in front of the judges. Emmy sat down with her local news station WKRN News and told them about the audition process.
“I was so nervous. I was about to walk in to go to my audition, my hands were shaking, just thinking, “I can’t do this, I’m not built for this.’ and I told one of the producers, ‘I don’t think I can [do this.] I think I have to leave. I can’t audition. I’m sorry.’”
Emmy said the producer told her to just sing to him.
“So I sang to him and he started crying, and I thought, ‘If I moved him maybe I can move them.’”
The “them” she is referring to is the judges. And move them, she did! Watch her explain why she almost left the auditions below.