Wynonna Judd Performs “Coal Miner’s Daughter” With Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Emmy Russell On ‘American Idol’: She’s “Carrying On What Their Ancestors Started”

American Idol Season 22 ended with a touching tribute to the late country music icon Loretta Lynn, whose granddaughter Emmy Russell had a memorable run on the show before being eliminated from the Top 5.

Russell was joined by country singer Wynonna Judd for a beautiful rendition of Lynn’s iconic ballad “Coal Miner’s Daughter” during the series finale.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Judd praised Lynn for being one of the first people to embrace her in the industry. “I did and I love Loretta,” Judd said. “She gave me the shirt off her back, literally, and she was the first woman that hugged me in country music.”

Judd and Russell’s duet also included a special performance of her hit single, “No One Else On Earth.”

“At some point in your life, you find yourself talking to someone in the family that’s carrying on what their ancestors started and that’s what she’s doing,” she said of Russell.

But she also visited American Idol to offer some advice to the three finalists, Jack Blocker, Abi Carter, and Will Moseley ahead of the start of their music careers.

“I’m helping these youngsters out there who need some wisdom and experience,” Judd said.

Russell was eliminated from the ABC reality series earlier this month, but she certainly made her mark on the show.

“I’m just really feeling grateful. I didn’t make Top 3, but that was God’s plan,” she said in an Instagram video. “That was funny because before I got eliminated, I think God told me, he was like, ‘Emmy, you’re not gonna be chosen by America, but I chose you.’”

She continued, “There was no sense of ‘Why wasn’t I chosen?’ I know I’m chosen. It’s like whenever a boy is like, ‘I don’t wanna go out with you anymore.’ And you’re like, ‘OK. But I know I’m loved.’”

“For me, the point of being here is you can be yourself and be successful. Don’t run from rejection or pain and facing hard things,” she said.

Russell had previously performed “Coal Miner’s Daughter” after judge Katy Perry chose the ballad for her, saying it was a chance to set herself apart from her grandmother’s legacy.

“I chose this song not because Loretta Lynn is your grandma,” Perry said through tears, per The Daily Mail. “I chose this song because you are Emmy Russell and you can do anything now as Emmy Russell!”

Scroll up to watch their performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on American Idol.