Loretta Lynn's granddaughter Emmy Russell kicks off 'American Idol' with touching original song

Having a platinum pedigree is one thing. But showing that you can use it is a whole different ball game. Amy Russell , 24, proved she was up to the task on Sunday night (February 25) when the shy Nashville native and granddaughter of country icon Loretta Lynn stepped up to her mark. American Idol to perform an original piano ballad called “Skinny”.

Grinning from ear to ear, Russell told the judging panel it was a “dream” to be on the reality singing competition as Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan tried to hear the singer's quiet voice. “Tell us about yourself, other than being quiet,” Brian said. “Growing up, I sang music my whole life,” she said modestly.

“I like to write. I am 24 years old. Songwriter. I love music,” Russell added. “I don't sing that much anymore, but growing up I used to sing on the street – my grandma is a country singer, so I grew up singing.” Which, of course, prompted the obvious question from Brian, leading to the revelation that Russell's grandmother was Grammy-winning country superstar Coal Miner's Daughter, who died in October 2022 at the age of 90. “Your grandmother is… what?! Richie said in disbelief.

The show then released a montage of Russell taking viewers through the history of Lynn Hurricane Mills, the TN ranch and home where the singer's mom, singer Patsy Lynn, grew up. “She's one of the greatest female country singers of all time, but to me she's just my grandma and growing up on the bus and that was all very normal to me,” Russell said.

Embracing her shyness, Russell explained that one of the reasons she's kind of shy is because she wants to be her own person and “have my own voice.” With Perry advising that, like her grandmother, Russell needs to find her own unique path, the singer took to the piano to perform a moving original she wrote about eating disorders called “Skinny.”

“I haven't eaten in days/ God I hate how you made me/ I was afraid to admit it, I've been so hard to undress lately/ These oversized t-shirts don't work like they used to/ Sleeping on the scale is just what I used to” , Russell urgently sang on the ballad that had a touch of Olivia Rodrigo's confessional keyboard music.

Perry was very impressed with the audition, calling Russell an “A+ songwriter… so is your grandma, you've got the gift. I don't think you need to compare yourself to what grandma was… you are completely different, you shouldn't put so much pressure on yourself. I think you got in like a mouse.'

“A baby mouse,” Brian added, as Perry asked Russell to say her name again, but louder this time.

Richie agreed, saying, “My dear, you have promise. And I like your promise. Each of us is trying to fight something that we are trying to overcome. In your case you have big shoes to fill. Now if I can just get you to put those shoes back in the closet, they're not your size.” Bryan said the goal will be to boost Russell's confidence and help her “own it.”

It was a tearful yes for Russell, who will advance to the Hollywood round in the current 22nd season of the long-running series, which Perry recently announced will be her last with the show.

Watch Russell's audition below.