The 22nd season of the hit show American Idol kicked off last week. And that means that auditions are officially underway. The audition portion of the show has gained popularity for just how bad some of them are. But every so often one contestant comes in and leaves the judges in awe.
Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of legendary singer Loretta Lynn did just that.
Lynn is a country music legend. So it is not likely that Russell will be able to distance herself from her late grandmother’s legacy. But the singer does insist that she is trying to create her own.
“I used to run from my family heritage and wanna make my own path,” Russell said. “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 a part of me!”
Fantasia Barrino Reflects on American Idol Win
American Idol has been around for more than two decades. So naturally, the show how bred some of the industry’s top singers. One of those singers is Fantasia Barrino. Barrino recently starred in the remake of the iconic film ‘The Color Purple’ The former Idol winner recalled watching her audition with her daughter and just reflecting about the uncertainty of her future at the time.
“I remember squeezing her hand and saying, ‘You remember that Mommy has always told you that I did everything for you,’ “ Barrino said.
“She looked at me and said, ‘I know, Mommy, and I’m so proud of you.’ And we just cried. We were in the trenches together; it was just me and her. I was a child, and I didn’t know what I was doing. But I knew that I was going to take care of her and show her something different.”
Fantasia Reveals Dark Side of Competition
Most contestants think that after they win the competition, is when the fun begins. But Barrino shared the dark side of the music industry following her Idol win. After being chosen the winner is when she started to lose the most.
“It wasn’t easy. I lost a lot. I lost everything.”You have to become a businesswoman and you link up with great business partners, but it doesn’t have a lot to do with love. It took me a long time to figure that out,” she said.
“I didn’t know anything about contracts. I didn’t know anything about checking your money and making sure every day your stuff was where it was supposed to be. I just trusted and believed everybody that came into my life.”