Country music royalty will be represented in the latest season of “American Idol.”

Emmy Russell, 25, will be featured in the Feb. 25 episode of the hit reality show. She is the granddaughter of the late Loretta Lynn. Russell

“I just wanted to be around other young creatives like me,” Russell told Kingston Springs Gazette. “I think I just like the hard work of it, and it was outside the traditional way that my grandma had — which is a publishing deal, get the record deal.

“I wanted something out there and fun and just forced me to do it because I’m so shy and scared of going for it.”

Russell made her Grand Ole Opry debut last April in honor of her grandmother’s birthday.

“I use to run from my family heritage and wanna make my own path,” Russell posted on Instagram. “I feel a deep connection to thank, accept and celebrate her, cause she believed in me from the start before anyone did. Not ashamed anymore. She was never ashamed of me. I’m a granddaughter, and I’m Emmy …. It’s all a part of me! This is the start of a beautiful journey. Couldn’t be more excited.”

Lynn’s family has made headlines of late. Last week, Cissie Lynn, 71, Lynn’s daughter, announced on Facebook she was undergoing an oral surgery for cancer.

“It has been at least 10 years since my first one,” she posted. “That’s a blessing. This one is (worse) than the other it also is (in) my mouth. I don’t know what to say because I’m way too emotional and scared this time.”

In January, Lynn’s son, Ernest Ray Lynn, had to undergo “a critical surgery” for kidney failure. Not long after, Ernest was being allowed to “go home to heal.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.