Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Emmy Russell Opens Up After Getting Eliminated From ‘American Idol’: “Don’t Run From Rejection Or Pain”

Emmy Russell has no hard feelings when it comes to her shocking American Idol elimination.

The fan-favorite singer-songwriter, who is the granddaughter of country music legend Loretta Lynn, was sent home Sunday night (May 12) after making it to the Top 5.

“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.'”

During the Disney-themed episode, Russell gave two moving performances as she sang “The Climb” from Hannah Montana: The Movie and “Carried Me With You” from Pixar’s Onward. 

“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. “I sang ‘The Climb’ from Miley Cyrus and I really think that she says it best. Sometimes you’re gonna have to lose. It’s not about how fast you get there, it’s not about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb.”

She added, “I would look at this and say the climb is Abraham’s Promised Land. The promise is a part of the climb; the promise is the climb with God.”

Russell gained much attention through her time on American Idol, even bringing judge Katy Perry to tears as she sang a cover of her late grandmother’s song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

“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!”

American Idol airs on Sunday and Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.