Tori Kelly is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from the United States who catapulted to prominence after her rendition of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ Bout You” went viral on YouTube. She is a self-taught musician who wrote her first few songs at home on her computer and released them online to gain exposure.

She opted to work independently on her songs after trying her luck on music reality shows such as ‘American Idol,’ and completely released her debut EP, ‘Handmade Songs By Tori Kelly,’ by herself. It was an instant hit and served as a springboard for her musical career. She quickly hired Scooter Braun as her manager and signed with ‘Capitol Records to release her second EP, “Foreword.”

Her debut album, ‘Unbreakable Smile,’ followed. She co-wrote the album’s lead single, “Nobody Love,” with acclaimed songwriter Max Martin, and it became her first song to chart on the US ‘Billboard’ Hot 100.

She described the album as combining her soulful urban music with a popular pop flair. She has received numerous important honours and has been nominated for a Grammy Award. She recently acted as a voice actor in the animated “Sing.”

Essential Data

• Name: Victoria Loren
• Stage Name: Tori Kelly
• Date of Birth: December 14, 1992
• Place of Birth: California
• Profession: Singer and Songwriter
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $3 Million

Early Life

Tori Kelly was originally known as Victoria Loren. Kelly was born on December 14, 1992, in Wildomar, California, to Allwyn and Laura Kelly. Her father is Puerto Rican and Jamaican, while her mother is Irish and German. She has a younger sibling.

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She hailed from a musically inclined household. Despite being a construction worker, her father can sing and play the bass. Her mother is an accomplished keyboardist and saxophonist.

Thanks to her parents, she grew up listening to all forms of music as a child. She liked gospel music and was influenced by pop and R&B. Crystal Lewis, Jill Scott, Jeff Buckley, and Maxwell were early influences on her.

Career

In 2003, she auditioned for the television show ‘Star Search,’ hoping to become a singer. The next year, she appeared on “America’s Most Talented Kids.” She won the competition and was signed to Geffen Records as a result. Regrettably, she did not release any songs from there owing to a disagreement of ideas.

Tori Kelly’s first attempt at recording music and developing a fanbase began when she was 14 years old in 2007. She began recording and uploading her songs on YouTube using her computer. She began by doing cover versions of popular songs, the most famous of which was her interpretation of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ Bout You.”

She focused her efforts after failing to make the ‘Top 24’ on ‘American Idol’ on her debut EP, ‘Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly,’ which was published on May 1, 2012, under her own company, Toraay Records. Not only did she compose the songs, but she also recorded and produced the CD.

Her next single, “Fill a Heart,” was published in February 2013 as part of ConAgra Foods and Feeding America’s ‘Child Hunger Ends Here’ campaign. She also went on a ‘Fill a Heart‘ tour to support the cause. Scooter Braun became her manager in 2013 after hearing her tracks on YouTube and helping her sign a deal with Capitol Records. Kelly was hesitant to sign another contract because she had previously signed a fruitless deal with Geffen Records, but the fact that the producers were her fans put her at ease.

Capitol Records published her second EP, “Foreword,” on October 22, 2013. In the United States, it debuted at number 16 on the Billboard 200.

She was the solo support act for Ed Sheeran at Madison Square Garden in November 2013.

The song ‘Silent,’ which she composed and recorded specifically for the soundtrack of the 2014 film ‘The Giver,’ was featured in the film. Her YouTube channel has received over 4.5 million views for the live acoustic rendition of the song.

Her first British top-ten success was ‘Lullaby,’ collaborating with British rapper Professor Green. The song was released in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2014, and peaked at number four on the ‘UK Singles Chart.’

In late 2014, he was named one of MTV’s “Artists to Watch.” She also performed two MTV songs, “Funny” and “Dear No One.”

She released “Nobody Love,” the lead single from her debut album ‘Unbreakable Smile,’ on February 8, 2015. The album was published on June 23, 2015, and included performers like Ed Sheeran. Max Martin and Kelly, among others, contributed lyrics to the record. On January 29, 2016, the album was re-released with two new songs, “Hollow” and “Something Lovely.”

In the 2016 film ‘Sing,’ she played Meena the elephant. On the one-month anniversary of her death, during a meet-and-greet, she released the original song ‘Blink of an Eye‘ as a homage to fellow singer and friend Christina Grimmie.

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Awards and Recognition

Tori Kelly was recognized as a ‘Breakthrough Artist’ by Billboard Women in Music 2015. The YouTube Music Awards named her one of the ‘50 Artists to Watch‘ the following year.

In 2016, she was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of “Best New Artist.” The following year, she won the Radio Disney Music Award for “Breakout Artist of the Year.”

Personal Life

Tori Kelly, who has worked with Ed Sheeran several times, is frequently associated with the British singer. In an interview with ‘Seventeen,’ she stated that while she considers him a friend and mentor, their connection is completely professional. She is currently single.

Net Worth

The American singer and songwriter Tori Kelly is estimated to have a net worth of $3 million.

Social Media

• Instagram: @torikelly
• Twitter: @torikelly