Tori Kelly: news, music and more
Tori Kelly is proof that early rejection is not the end of the story. The California singer built her following one YouTube cover at a time, survived a harsh verdict from Simon Cowell and grew into a Grammy-recognised artist admired for one of the most agile voices in pop. This page brings our Tori Kelly coverage together.
The American Idol chapter
As a teenager, Tori auditioned for American Idol. The judges loved her first performance of John Mayer's Gravity, with one notable exception: Simon Cowell called her voice annoying. She made it through the early rounds but was eliminated during the show's feared Hollywood Week. Looking back, Tori has said that coming to terms with that criticism helped build her character, and she now recalls the moment with good humour.
YouTube and the breakthrough
Instead of giving up, Tori kept posting covers and original songs online, often accompanying herself on guitar. Her videos drew millions of views and caught the attention of the industry. Her debut album Unbreakable Smile produced Nobody Love and Should've Been Us, and she earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
Collaborations and Disney
Tori has worked with an impressive list of artists. Ed Sheeran co-wrote and featured on I Was Made for Loving You, and she has been clear that the two are friends, not a couple. She recorded a version of Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas for the We Love Disney collection, produced by David Foster, who praised her voice highly. She also voiced the shy, powerful singer Meena in the animated film Sing.
Gospel and faith
Tori's faith is central to her music. Her gospel project Hiding Place, made with Kirk Franklin, was celebrated by critics and earned Grammy Awards in the gospel categories.
What makes her special
- Remarkable vocal runs and control.
- Guitar-driven songwriting with soul and gospel influences.
- A warm, humble presence on stage and online.
- A career built on persistence.
Follow Tori
New music, live performances, collaborations and award show moments: follow the latest Tori Kelly news here and tell us which performance gave you chills.