Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter Emmy Russell is an American singer who gained attention with her performance on the song “Skinny” before judges in the 22nd season of American Idol. Emmy Russell’s American Idol audition was emotional and impressed the judges who sent her to the next round of the competition in California with a big YES.
Emmy Russell, 24, with Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson’s son, paid tribute to her grandmother with a cover of “Lay Me Down” at the Grand Ole Opry, a weekly live country-music radio broadcast. The song helped her get the Performance of the Year nomination at the 2023 CMT Music Awards.
On the set of American Idol, Russel opened up about how she grew up singing with her grandmother while traveling on a tour bus.
Emmy Russell biography
| Born name | Emmy Russell |
| Nickname | Emmy |
| Gender | Female |
| Birth date | January 12, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Kingston, Tennessee, United States |
| Residence | Nashville |
| Nationality | American |
Emmy Russell age
Singer Emmy Russell’s age as of 2024 is 24 years. Born into a music family, Russell cherishes her late grandmother’s legacy. The songwriter, born in Kingston, Tennessee, to Philip Russell and Patsy Lynn Russell, has a unique voice.
| Age in 2024 | 24 |
| Birth date | January 12 |
| Parents | Philip Russell and Patsy Lynn Russell |
| Birth year | 1999 |
| Birthday Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Hometown | Nashville |
| Occupation | Singer |
Emmy Russell parents and family
Country music legend Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter Emmy Russell made her presence felt on the set of the 22nd season of American Idol. Patsy Lynn Russell and Philip Russell are her parents. Her siblings are David, Philip David, Anthony Brutto, Melody, and Jennafer Russell.
| Father | Philip Russell |
| Mother | Patsy Lynn Russell |
| Grandmother | Loretta Lynn |
| Siblings | David, Philip David, Anthony Brutto, Melody, Jennafer Russell |
| Native | Nashville |
| Citizenship | American |
Emmy Russell net worth
American Idol star Emmy Russell is estimated to be worth between $2 million and $3 million (as of May 2024). Some online celebrity wealth-calculating websites show that her primary income sources are social media assignments and reality TV participation.
| Net worth in 2024 | $2-3 million |
| Wealth sources | Social media assignments and the music industry |
Emmy Russell Songs
In October 2022, she performed at the Grand Ole Opry with Lukas Nelson to honor legendary Loretta with a cover of “Lay Me Down.” In 2023, her song Skinny went viral on TikTok with the Songhouse. Her official Grand Ole Opry debut in 2023 was with a song called “Memaw’s Guitar.”
American Idol judge Katy Perry called Russell an “A+ songwriter” for her performance.
| 2022 | Skinny |
| 2022 | Lay Me Down with Lukas Nelson |
| 2023 | Memaw’s Guitar |
On her Grand Ole Opry debut
“I use to run from my family heritage and wanna make my own path. I feel a deep conviction to thank, accept, and celebrate her, cause she believed in me from the start before anyone did. Not ashamed anymore. She was never ashamed of me… I’m a granddaughter, and I’m Emmy… it’s all apart of me! This is the start of a beautiful journey.”
Emmy Russell on American Idol
Russell performed her original song, “Skinny,” on piano for her American Idol debut. This song depicts body image themes and eating disorder struggles. This audition has more than 1 million views on YouTube.
“Growing up, I sang music my entire life. I just love writing. I’m 24 years old. Songwriter, I love music. I don’t really sing out as much anymore, but growing up, I sang on the road, my grandma’s a country singer.”
On her grandmother
“She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me, she’s just my grandma.”