Emmy Russell has been one of the best stories on this season of “American Idol.”

American Idol
Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of country music legend Loretta Lynn, competes on “American Idol” on Monday, April 8, 2024, on ABC.Disney

She is the granddaughter of country music legend Loretta Lynn, but she did not come into the contest with the same fearlessness on stage that her grandmother had.

And her growth and evolution as she has worked to overcome that has been fun to see.

That continued Sunday when Russell performed a pair of songs — “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk The Moon and “Water Under the Bridge” by Adele — and made the cut, advancing into the top five in the show.

For a young woman who has constantly battled nerves throughout the contest, Sunday was a real nailbiter for Russell. And that is because as the show made its cuts, she was one of the final three left on the stage vying for the last spot in the top five. She joined Abi Carter, Will Moseley, Jack Blocker and Triston Harper as finalists.

McKenna Breinholt and Julia Gagnon were cut.

Again, great story for Russell, but not everyone thought so.

Russell previously mentioned while working with Kiss legend Gene Simmons on the show that she has seen social media comments putting her down. And, on social media, she does seem to be the most polarizing performer in the top five.

She has a lot of support, but she also has a lot of folks who are not on her team as the show heads toward picking the next “American Idol.” And some are even floating conspiracy theories about how she has made it so far.

“Ok but really, who is voting for Emmy Russell on (American Idol,” one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Too many great people have gone home while she’s coasted to the top 5.”

“Never thought a fix could happen on idol, but u never know,” another person wrote on X. “Emmy Russell should be watching the show at home. Been watching since the first show can’t believe what I been watching.”

“OK, I’m officially a conspiracy theorist,” another person wrote. “There is absolutely no way (Emmy Russell) should still be on (American Idol)!!!! It makes no sense. There has to be an alternative reason.”

“Emmy Russell going to the Top 5 is absolutely wild,” another wrote. “Who did she pay off.”

“Sorry, but the fact that Emmy Russell made it into the final 5 is based on who she is related to, imo,” another wrote. “She’s talented, but not American Idol level & Tristan needs to come back next year instead of this year (come on 15?). McKenna & Julia should be there instead.”

There were plenty more posts like that.

It is understandable that in a competition folks become attached to one of the performers, and they are upset when they end up not winning. But the hate seems a little much.

Yes, Russell has a famous grandmother. But she has grown by leaps and bounds throughout the show and shown ability as both a songwriter and she has proven to be a talented singer, too.

And that might just be enough to help her become the next “American Idol.”