Yahoo News Loretta Lynn's granddaughter sits through dance song, surprising “American Idol” judges: 'My nerves get nervous'
Emmy Russell sat at the piano throughout her cover of "Shut Up and Dance," but earned praise anyhow.
Emmy Russell, granddaughter of country legend Loretta Lynn, continued to march toward the American Idol finale on Sunday.
The competition's "Adele night" asked each of the remaining seven singers to do an Adele cover and a dance song. Russell wowed the judges with her rendition of "Water Under the Bridge" from Adele's 2015 album 25. Her other performance, however, left at least one judge scratching their head.
For her dance song, Russell sang Walk the Moon's "Shut Up and Dance." It translated well to her more mellow take, which featured Russell seated at a piano throughout the song.
Russell staying glued to the piano bench for a dance song wasn't lost on the judges. When she wrapped up, judge Katy Perry quickly asked about her decision to remain seated during the song. "Were you going to get up and walk around?" Perry asked. "What happened?"
"No. I kind of just changed my mind," Russell responded. "Because my nerves get nervous." She clarified that she didn't change her plan mid-song, but went into the performance intending to remain at the piano.
"I was waiting. I was waiting," Perry said, before abruptly transitioning into praise. "Look, it's okay. You were the most confident I've seen you, even if it was from a profile. It was the most confident and the best sounding you've ever sounded. Chill bumps, everywhere. I definitely want you to keep pushing yourself, though. Don't let those nerves get the best of you, Emmy."
The other judges echoed Perry's praise. "If you had any nerves, we didn't see it," Lionel Richie said. "You are, right now, stepping into that lane called superstar."
Russell survived elimination on Sunday's episode. As did Abi Carter with her cover of Fall Out Boy's "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark," which was a highlight of the night.
"Where's all this energy been? Where's all this physicality been? Why were you saving that for the almost last show?" Perry asked as Carter laughed after her song. "I'm scared for my job."
Of course, not everyone is able to stick around until next week. McKenna Faith Breinholt and Julia Gagnon both had their time on the show come to an end, leaving just five singers battling it out in the show's final two nights.
American Idol switched, starting with last night's episode, from airing every Sunday and Monday to just Sunday nights. The next episode — "Disney night" — will air live on Sunday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET.
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