Wynonna Judd shared that she felt Loretta Lynn’s presence while singing alongside the late country artist’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell, on the season 22 finale of American Idol.
The 59-year-old singer said Eastern Time‘I did it and I love Loretta.
“She literally gave me the shirt she was wearing and was the first woman to hug me in country music,” he recalled of Lynn, who died in October 2022.
Judd performed the song No One Else On Earth with Russell, 24.
“At some point in your life, you find yourself talking to someone in the family who is continuing what their ancestors started and that’s what they’re doing,” he gushed about the rising star.
Wynonna Judd says she felt Loretta Lynn’s presence while singing alongside the late country artist’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell, on the season 22 finale of American Idol; Wynonna photographed on May 4 and Loretta seen, right, in 2010.
Judd performed the song No One Else on Earth with Russell, 24, seen here in April.
Judd described her appearance on American Idol as a “special night” of “giveback,” the outlet reported.
The country music host emphasized that regardless of who wins the show, the contestants can benefit from their advice and experience.
“I’m helping these young people who need some wisdom and experience,” he said.
Her Emmy performance comes less than two years after Wynonna sang How Great Thou Art at Lynn’s funeral.
On the day of her death, October 4, he used his Instagram platform to pay tribute to Loretta.
She shared two photos sitting next to the music icon while strumming a guitar.
In the caption, she reflects: “As a child, I learned about Loretta by listening to her on the Grand Ole Opry. It was the first country concert I ever saw.
“I was 15 and lived in a hotel in Las Vegas for a while, and I went to one of the casino showrooms to see their show every night.”
Emmy performing on the music competition show in late April.
Loretta photographed in 1972 for a portrait wearing a blue denim suit.
Wynonna recalled: “I met her when she was 20 years old. When I first entered CMA in 1984, she was the first person to come up and hug me. Loretta was like an aunt to me.
“I called her and she told me stories. Some of my best memories of Loretta come from her telling me all about her life at Butcher Holler. During one of my recent visits to Hurricane Mills, she gave me a Bible and a crocheted rug that her mother made. I will cherish them forever.”
She lamented, “It is very difficult for me to understand life without her.” I will miss our chats on the phone, the sound of her voice telling me that she loves me and hearing her beautiful laugh.’
Emmy was eliminated from the music competition on May 12, but returned to perform for the May 19 finale.