Emmy Russell Reflects on American Idol Journey — and Reveals the Best Advice She Received from a Judge

Emmy Russell is reflecting on her whirlwind journey on American Idol.

On Sunday, May 12, Russell was eliminated on the singing competition show after making the Top 5. After the show, the singer-songwriter — who's the granddaughter of country legend Loretta Lynn — opened up about her experience on the show.

"It's like a marathon," Russell, 25, said in a group interview. "You get off the marathon and I just let out a little cry and I was just like, 'Oh, it's over. It's a high.' So you get to come off the high and then there is that kind of emotional-ness that comes to that too."

On Sunday, Abi Carter, Jack Blocker and Will Moseley advance to the finale while Russell and Triston Harper were sent home.

Russell captivated viewers during her shy audition, where she sang her original song called "Skinny." At the time, the judges told Russell she would need to work on her confidence — and she has since blossomed to a full-fledged performer.

"I think I am a little timid, and I think it is because I want to own my voice," added Russell. "That's why I want to challenge myself and come out here."

Now, Russell expresses immense gratitude to the judges for helping her find her voice.

"Katy Perry always said, 'You carry a message. Don't doubt that about yourself,'" she said. "Some people tell me, 'You don't deserve this.' For her to be like, 'You do, you're here.' I think that she made me really believe in myself."

She continued, "'You are Emmy Russell. Say it.' She just made me believe in myself, so that's probably the biggest piece... my audition and the journey of you are Emmy Russell — not someone's granddaughter."

Because she made the Top 5, Russell will still release an original single through her work on the show called "Redemption" on May 17.

"I was just processing my life and a breakup and I was just like, 'I'm tired of being in between I love you and I don't,' and just my decision to be like, 'I'm going to find my redemption being alone. What does God think about me? I am loved.' And then letting that sink in and letting him go and being like, 'It's too late for redemption. But I found my redemption being alone.'"

American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.