Patsy Russell: ‘American Idol’ gave Emmy her own voice back

Kingston Springs native Emmy Russell, 25, returned home from her season of “American Idol” on Monday, May 20. 

Russell’s journey on the 22nd season of “American Idol” was not an easy one. The theme of Russell’s journey on the reality singing competition – where she landed in the top 5 – was confidence. 

When she auditioned for iconic judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie in Nashville nearly one year ago, Russell voiced her fear of never being able to fill her grandmother’s shoes: former country music icon Loretta Lynn. 

Russell’s mom, Patsy, told the Kingston Springs Gazette in an exclusive interview that her “knee-jerk reaction” when Russell told her she was auditioning for “American Idol” was, “What the hell are you thinking?” 

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