Wynonna Judd lavishes praise on Loretta Lynn following American Idol duet

Wyonna Judd recently expressed excitement over her American Idol duet with Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter Emmy Russell.

Judd, who previously performed at a Loretta Lynn tribute concert after her death in October 2022, felt her presence while performing with her granddaughter.

Speaking to ET’s Denny Directo on the red carpet of the American Idol, the 59-year-old singer said: "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 enthused.

Rehashing the finale’s hysterics, Judd opened up about singing No One Else on Earth with the 24-year-old singer.

She gushed: "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."

Wyonna labelled the gig as a "special night" of "giving back" no matter who stole the show.

She highlighted: "I'm helping these youngsters out there who need some wisdom and experience."

For the unversed, Judd paid tribute to the three-time GRAMMY award-winner following her death on October. 4, 2022.

She took to Instagram, penning a heartfelt note that read: "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."