She really sang this song from a place of ancestral love and connection. This was her best performance!

I don’t know how anyone could bash Emmy! People say they love Loretta Lynn but yet they bash Emmy saying she can’t sing. It’s like would you say that to Loretta Lynn’s face? If not, than you best better keep your mouth shut. Emmy is a star and she’s not trying to fill her grandmas shoes. She’s paving her own road.

I've got tears. Not because of the back story, but because of the way she sang it. I hope she sings this at the end of all her concerts. It was beautiful.

Unbelievable performance. That performance alone is Grammy worthy and not because it’s her grandmothers song - because she has the voice and heart of an angel ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

She's really just a lovely girl. Her Memaw would be so proud.

I don't know how she made it through that song. I would have been bawling.

I don't care what others say... I love Emmy she was awesome tonight 💖🤩✨🫶

I didn't think she could deliver a pro performance at this level. From the start she has always sang from the heart with a warm loving voice but her problem is lack of self belief and lack of confidence at the pro level of singing. This was a musical moment. The last time I experienced something this heartfelt was Nightbirde's Golden Buzzer audition on AGT. Not many has these kind of moments on TV. Even the silent pause was heartfelt at 3:36.

She has officially won me over! That was beautiful!!

Made me cry. Loretta would be proud.

To hear her grandmothers song from her, was so beautiful, it touched my soul,

Emmy you are more than an American Idol. You will go far beyond this. Always a fan❤🙏

I am a Kentucky girl. I loved Memaw Loretta and this song is Kentucky. Miss Emmy, you done your Memaw and Kentucky proud. And you done it your way and it was magnificent. Keep being you and your "hug" was so good.

She is defiantly not holding back now!!! So proud of her.

The audience was quiet and mesmerized throughout the entire performance. Rightfully so. Nobody can ever take this performance away from you, and with that heart of yours, I know that many more of those are to come. So happy for you!

I can't stop listening to this song. My mother was the daughter of a coal mineral. She lived this song. She would tell us kids all the stories about how she grew up. My past away about 2 years ago. When she sang the line nothing lives here anymore ...just a memory of a coal miner's daughter, I completely lost it. It just brought me to tears. The summer before my mom past she took me to the place where she grew up on the mountain. Nothing was there anymore. The house she was literally born in up on the mountain is gone...nothing left but memories. And now that's all I have is the memories of a coal miner's daughter.

Way to go Emmy! You don't need American Idol!!! You are already a star and a true artist and any record company should be glad to have you!!!!!

I can’t stop watching this. Makes me cry every time. Such heart.

I was weeping during this beautiful interpretation of her Grandmother’s classic song. Emmy Rose 🌹 Russell is the next American Idol in my book. Voted 🗳️

I knew .. I mean I just knew Emmy would completely do her grandma proud if she sang one of her Memaws songs. She absolutely did not disappoint! Well done Emmy! She may have just won this season.

One of my favorite Idol performances ever. She had the entire audience hypnotized. My wife and I would be first in line for tickets to her concert.

Emmy you got this. You sung you're grandmas song and made it yours!!! You will be crowned the new queen of country. You're singing style added with your angelic voice will take you to the top. You have touched my soul with your singing. I saw you crying while you were singing this song. You are awesome.

Her best so far IMO. Touching. Emotional. She was so INTO that song.

I could hear some of her grandma in that performance. Beautifully done. Loretta would be so proud

Her best performance without a doubt!!! Did her Grandma proud👏

I love this song. I’ve never heard it slow and quiet like this. Her Memaw would be so proud.

Fellow contestant, McKenna’s facial expression reacted to the “oh oh oh oh…….”, tells it all and it’s priceless.

Talent, humble and nothing but class. Emmy wishing you the best - always remember who you are and where you come from. You were given a gift and heaven smiles each time you write or sing a song.

Emmy, that was beautiful. My eyes were leaking water. Take your wings to the finale. America loves you. 😊

I've been watching Idol for many tears. That is the single most moving performance I've ever seen on the show. Just stunning.

I can’t imagine the strength it took to perform that iconic song…. Bravo!!!!🙏

I don’t cry often but I am bawling. What a performance!

OMG, I'm crying. So beautiful. I dare anyone to say she can't sing after that performance.

She made my entire family tear up. Blew us away. What an awesome rendition!

Beautiful, and She Sang it incredibly well, considering the immense Pressure to sing her Grandmother's Iconic Song! Love her Voice and her Soul

I haven't been her biggest fan. Her audition was weak but holy cow that was beautiful. You have really grown so much and I am sure she was smiling ear to ear from above watching you sing that. That arrangement was so beautiful and the depth of your voice is very cool it's unique it's one of a kind. But in places I was so shocked to hear her come through. Great job and never forget who you are. Your Emmy Russel and you are going to go far.

Loretta is smiling down on Emmy. Never thought that anyone could come close to Loretta's version but Emmy did this beautifully.

Gosh I had to fight back tears becaues it stirred my love for Loretta Lynn but also to hear this come from the heart of her loving granddaughter.

Your grandmother has wrapped you in her wings. Fantastic, fantabulous job.

You are Emmy Russell and I would be Soooo Proud to be Loretta Lynn's Granddaughter Be Soooo Loved You are Special and Keep going and WIN I'm Watching and Proud to see you WIN!!

Yeah this performance definitely won her over for me! So iconic

My eyes leaked - beautiful job!!!

She was amazing! I’ll say it every time. I’ve never been her fan because of a grandmother. I have been her fan since auditions and she proved me right tonight. That was incredible

I’ve been an Emmy truther since day one! I knew she had this in her!!! This was beautiful!!!

Beautiful! It had me in tears!

Emmy, we are Very, Very proud of you!! This was a Wonderful tribute and had all of us in tears at the end.

Emmy Russell fans please like.

I just had a good cry from Emmy's performance. Very touching😢.

I didn’t expect that. Fantastic tribute to her grandma ❤

My new favorite. The transformation since her audition has been the best thus far. She makes me cry almost every performance. I hope she goes very far in life.

I absolutely love her voice! I hope she takes this entire contest home!

The emotion she sings with is so innocent and pure. She's like a rose blooming as her pedals open to the morning sun... 🌞

Perfect. Absolutely magical performance. Her best of the entireseason. I think she just lock up spot in final

Emmy, I have seen you struggle so much this season, but I think this was your victory song. You have found the precious balance between your ancestry and who you are as an individual. You have brought me to tears with this performance, and the coal miner's great grand daughter has struck gold.

To me, Emmy was always the wildcard and dark horse in the competition this year, but she is the most genuine person and it comes through in her songs. She’s so loveable you just want to hug her and tell her it’s going to be all right! I think she has one of the most unique voices on AI this year because you know it’s her when you hear her sing. She reminds me a lot of Donna Lewis “I love you always forever….” This was by far her best night, along with her duet with Jack. I think America is in love with her because she’s the true definition of “humble and kind” and when she sings you believe every word. I grew up on Miss Loretta Lynn and her music in the 70s, along with Conway Twitty and to see her great granddaughter come into her own and feel good to be herself. Emmy is talented in her own right and in her singing style and she’s gone through so many personal battles its an inspiration for us all. Her vulnerability is now her strength and I’m so proud of her!!! ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

Sang that song with big hugs for her grandma. Beautiful. ❤

Absouletly stunning.. your beautiful in side and out.. tx u angles r watching!

Wow, I’m crying up here in Mt. Baldy. Great job. Best song by you Ms. Emmy. YOU’RE A ⭐️ STAR,🌟 😊

When Judges Can’t Comment because They Can’t Stop Crying and I’m Still In Tears Realizing This Beautiful Moment ♥️🌹🎶🥰 Good Lordy Emmy 🙏🏼♥️ Thank You for Being So Courageous And Sharing Your God Given Gift ♥️

Simmon Cowell has always talked about not just singing a song but creating a moment. This performance was a moment! When your competitors have their jaws dropping, you know it's good. Bet GG is looking down saying "That's my Great Grandbaby"! Anyone who likes this, go listen to her song "Skinny".

I’ve been listening to this song since it was originally released. I never would’ve thought anyone other than Loretta and Sissy could do it justice. This little gal just blew me away!

Congrats Emmy! We could really feel that you channeled your deep love for Memaw Loretta and all the wonderful memories you had together!

Such a beautiful performance 😢 and person ❤ Go Emmy!

Embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve listened to this performance. ❤ As a mom and a daughter I get this 100%.

She should record this. Absolutely beautiful.

Ive never thought she could sing and didn't belong this far in the competition. I was really surprised and liked her tonight

Absolutely my favorite performance of yours yet Emmy :)

It was a touching performance that, on the one hand, paid a beautiful tribute to Lorreta, but also it was really about herself and all the pressure she has felt over the years trying to show who she is! Well done.

She is country justice that is for sure. Her voice is amazing. I never thought I would like country music till i heard this young lady sing . Your grandmother would be your biggest fan if she was here today. May she rest in peace 🙏.

Emmy is my favorite from this group! Amazing!

I'm still crying. This was beautiful

Damn she did her grandma justice good job emmy

Makes me proud to be an American.

I would buy this song. She should record this and it would, guaranteed be a hit for this lovely young lady

Gosh! Makes me cry Emmy! 😭😭😭 You got my heart! 💗

Love this little lady's genuine artistic expressions ❤️

Okay, im still bawling watching Emmy and Jacks performances from last night 😢😭 so beautiful, just sweet emotion pouring out from them.. ughh, i have no more words lol.

Wow !!! She is ‘ A Coal Miners Granddaughter ’ A Classy Performance…

That was fabulous 👏 made me cry 😢 she looks like mature tonight and in ways, resembles her great grandma ❤

I can feel the emotion in this song when she sings it. Loretta Lynn was a stunning performer. Way to go Emmy Russell your Grandmother would be so proud.

Her voice would make the angels tear up. If your ever in Arizona i would love to go to hear you sing live. Love your voice.

Magnificent! After catching so much hate, she soared, satisfying to see and hear. Go ahead Emmy! 🖤

The Best Performance she has done.. Omgawd! ♥ 🙏 🎉 So Stunning!! My ❤ Emmy..yes..yes..You are Emmy!!

Amazing performance🥺 I love Katy's comment at the end💗

Emmy Russell sings awesome beautiful voice ❤ her Grandma Loretta would be so proud of her being on American Idol 2024! America vote for her! 🎵🎶❤️🥰

Living proof of music touching your heart ❤️. The vulnerability in Emmys voice is of superstar quality. Stay true to yourself Emmy...we're all with you on your journey...🫶🙏

Not sure how your going to sing this without crying..... I am going to watch now..

Wow! I’ve watched this many times. Such a sweet story tellers voice. Her best performance.

A great job. Your Grandma is so proud of you.

Her best performance yet

Absolutely incredible, historic performance from Emmy! Her grandmother would be proud!!! Way to go Emmy!!! ❤

Oh wow!! One of my favorite songs. Emmy’s tribute was beautiful! Had me in tears. She should consider closing her future concerts with this song, just like her Meemaw! I’m sure Loretta was smiling from the heavens 😇

not ashamed to say it but I've cried every time I have listened to this performance.

Best performance of the season. Hands down! That could have won her the whole season right there.

Im very surprise people have been aweful online to Emmy. Her voice is amazing and different and sooo simple and profound!! People really have lost their souls to music that they are such vile towards an innocent and beautiful talent

I've been rooting for Emmy since the audition rounds, simply because she seemed like such a sweet, kind and genuine person and i think the music industry needs a lot more of that. Her musical performances up till now have underwhelmed me. But THIS. THIS was the stuff. You can do this Emmy girl! Take it all the way home now!

Wow Damn Beautiful she has an amazing voice very unique love it.

This was Emmy’s best performance, hands tf down. Wow. She felt safe and in her lane on the piano. Her voice shined, but more importantly this was simply a granddaughter singing to her grandma. Beautiful in every way, and she made her presence known. Jam packed with emotion, you felt and believed every single word. Congrats Emmy 💛

BEAUTIFULLY DONE EMMY!! I got chills all over, while crying, so beautiful. ❤

Words cannot express how beautiful this was, so I’ll just leave it at that as I listen on repeat and probably cry again. ❤❤❤