Wynonna Judd shared she felt Loretta Lynn's presence as she sang alongside the late country artist's granddaughter, Emmy Russell, on American Idol's season 22 finale.

The 59-year-old songstress told ET, 'I did and I love Loretta.

'She gave me the shirt off her back, literally, and she was the first woman that hugged me in country music,' she recalled of Lynn, who died in October 2022.

Judd performed the song No One Else On Earth with 24-year-old Russell.

'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 gushed of the rising star.
















Wynonna Judd says she felt Loretta Lynn 's presence as she sang alongside the late country artist's granddaughter, Emmy Russell, on American Idol's season 22 finale; Wynonna pictured May 4 and Loretta seen, right, in 2010





Judd performed the song casino online free spins no deposit One Else on Earth with 24-year-old Russell, seen here in April

Judd described her appearance on American Idol as a 'special night' of 'giving back,' the outlet reported.

The country music fixture emphasized that regardless who wins the show, the contestants can benefit from her advice and experience. 

'I'm helping these youngsters out there who need some wisdom and experience,' she said.

Her performance with Emmy comes less than two years after Wynonna sang How Great Thou Art at Lynn's memorial service.

On the day of her death, October 4, she used her Instagram platform to pay tribute to Loretta.

She shared two photos sitting beside the music icon as she strummed a guitar.

In the caption, she reflected, 'As a young girl, I learned about Loretta from listening to her on the Grand Ole Opry. She was the very first country concert I ever saw. 

'I was 15 and living in a Vegas hotel for a bit, and I would go down to one of the casino online gambling websites tips showrooms to watch her show every night.'









Emmy performing on the music competition show in late April





Loretta pictured in 1972 for a portrait wearing a blue denim suit







Wynonna recalled, 'I got to meet her when I was 20 years old. As I walked into the CMA's for the first time in 1984, casino real money us sites she was the first person who came over and hugged me. Loretta was like an aunt to me. 

'I would call her and she would tell me stories. Some of my fondest memories of Loretta come from her telling me all about her life in Butcher Holler. During one of my recent visits to Hurricane Mills, she gave me a Bible and a crocheted doily that her Mama made. I will cherish those forever.'

She lamented, 'It's really hard for me to comprehend life without her. I will miss our chats on the phone, the sound of her voice telling me she loves me, and hearing her beautiful laughter.'

Emmy was eliminated from the music competition on May 12, but returned to perform for the May 19 finale.


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