Biography
Who is Tori Kelly?
Early life and upbringing
Victoria Loren Kelly was born in Wildomar, California. Her family background includes Irish, German, Jamaican, and Puerto Rican ancestry. She grew up in a household where her parents played a diverse range of music, which helped shape her eclectic taste. She has a younger brother named Noah.
As a child, she sought opportunities to perform. She appeared on the show Star Search and competed on America's Most Talented Kid in 2004, where she won after performing a song by Christina Aguilera. By the age of twelve, she briefly signed a record deal with Geffen Records, though it ended due to creative differences.
Breakthrough and early music career
In 2010, Tori Kelly auditioned for the ninth season of American Idol in Denver, Colorado. While she reached Hollywood Week, she did not advance to the top 24 contestants. Following this experience, she began focusing on her own music, learning to play the guitar and recording original songs on her computer.
She gained significant attention by posting videos on YouTube, including a popular cover of Frank Ocean's Thinkin Bout You. Her success on the platform led to the release of her debut EP, Handmade Songs, in 2012, which she produced and recorded herself. The project reached the top 10 on the iTunes Pop Albums chart.
Major label success and awards
Tori signed with Capitol Records in 2013. Her first major-label EP, Foreword, debuted at number 16 on the US Billboard 200. She continued her momentum with her first studio album, Unbreakable Smile, in 2015, which reached number two on the charts. This album featured popular singles like Nobody Love and Should've Been Us.
Her career expanded into religious music with the release of the album Hiding Place in 2018. This project received critical acclaim and earned her two Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance. Over her career, she has accumulated multiple industry honors, including two Billboard Music Awards and a GMA Dove Award.
Film work and later projects
Beyond her recording career, she entered the film industry by providing the voice for the character Meena in the animated movie Sing. She also appeared as a contestant on The Masked Singer. Her discography continued to grow with releases such as Inspired by True Events and A Christmas album.
In 2024, she signed with Epic Records and released the album Tori. She has also collaborated with various artists across genres, including rappers and country singers. Her work remains rooted in soul and pop influences, reflecting the diverse musical exposure she received during her childhood years.
Birthday and age
Tori Kelly was born on December 14, 1992, which makes Tori 33 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Tori shares the date with 29 other famous people.
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