Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter speaks out on ‘American Idol’ moment that made her ‘so mad’

nypost.com:

Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell, didn’t necessarily want to perform her grandmother’s iconic song while appearing on “American Idol” last year.

During an appearance on “The Thrivalist Podcast,” the country singer revealed that while it wasn’t her idea to sing “Coal Miner’s Daughter” during the competition show, she didn’t walk away with any regrets. “Judges picked three songs, and the only one I knew was ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter,'” Russell said of then-judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. “I just remember seeing that and I was… so mad.”Fearful of “nepotism” backlash from viewers, Russell said she had a feeling that the song would only fuel the fire.

However, she carried on and pushed forward with the performance. “I just felt that still, small voice saying, ‘I need you to stay, and I need you to show up,'” she said. “And I got on the piano and I played ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ for the vocal coaches.

It was just how I wanted to play it. I had this entire vision for it.”Fox News Digital has reached out to “American Idol” for comment.Lynn, who died in 2022 at age 90, had 17 grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.Russell, who made the Top 5 before being eliminated, opened up about her love for music. “I’m a songwriter,” the young singer said in a video that was featured on “American Idol.” “It’s in my blood.