Fans defend country music legend’s granddaughter after brutal ‘American Idol’ criticisms (2024)

The evolution of Emmy Russell has been one of the most compelling storylines on this season of “American Idol,” but apparently not everyone sees it that way.

Russell, the granddaughter of country music legend Loretta Lynn, advanced Monday into the show’s top 10 after singing Selena Gomez’s “Lose You to Love Me.” It was another strong performance, and it brought the judges to their feet once again.

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“We have taken you out of so many of your comfort zones, and to even put you in front of Megan and let her kind of rough you up a little bit in the room, we could see the anxiety on your face,” Luke Bryan told her after her performance. “And then to go through all that, and then to come through and still shine. And you keep shining in these moments, and I know you are not necessarily comfortable with all of this but try to remember to love singing and have fun with it because you are shining, I promise you.”

Katy Perry had big-time praise of Russell, too.

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“It was like Kacey Musgraves doing Selena Gomez, it was very authentically you,” she said. “It was one of the best vocal performances you have ever given us. I know that you are a specific kind of singer, so I appreciate that you are pushing yourself. You look great, you sound great, please keep conning yourself into that confidence.”

Russell has shown that she can be timid, but she has also displayed raw emotion as she has openly discussed and taken on self-doubt while trying to be more outgoing.

And it is something she seems to get better at each time out.

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But again, it’s 2024, everybody has an opinion and some of those opinions are just downright ugly.

Check out social media and there are a number of “Idol” watchers who have attacked Russell’s voice and approach. There are really some brutal critiques there that don’t seem to fit the quality of her performances.

It is something she mentioned Sunday while being mentored by Kiss frontman Gene Simmons.

“You’ve got a great voice,” Simmons told her. “I can’t sing like that.”

“I have read the comments,” Russell said, referencing comments on social media videos of her performances. “She should stick to song writing. She can’t sing like her grandma. So, when Gene told me he liked my voice, it was really validating.”

And, if Emmy needs any more validation, she need only skip over those negative comments. There’s plenty of support on social media, too.

“Emmy Russell #AmericanIdol,” one person wrote. “You have a uniquely beautiful voice. Don’t let anyone ‘Ever’ convince u otherwise. It’s in ur genes young lady. Tell all (these) haters to ‘kick rocks.’ Keep up the gr8 work. I believe in amazing you.”

“Emmy Russell #AmericanIdol way to go Emmy,” another wrote. “You are coming into your own! I could listen to you all night! Love your voice!”