Tori Kelly is an American singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame after her cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ Bout You” went viral on YouTube. A self-taught musician, she wrote her first few songs on her home computer and posted them online to attract attention.
After trying out music reality shows such as American Idol, she chose to create songs independently and officially released her first EP “Tori Kelly’s Handmade Songs” The song was an instant hit and became the springboard for her music career. She soon hired Scooter Braun as her manager and signed with Capitol Records to release her second EP, “Preface”
Her debut albumUnbreakable smile” She then co-wrote the album’s lead single, “No one loves”, sung with renowned songwriter Max Martin, which became her first song to top the US “Billboard” Hot 100 singles chart.
She said the album blends her soulful urban music with pop music. She has received many major honors and has been nominated for a Grammy Award. Recently, she also served as a voice actor in the animated series “The Voice”.
Basic data
- Name: Victoria Rowland
- Stage name: Tori Kelly
- Date of Birth: December 14, 1992
- Birthplace: California
- Occupation: Singer-songwriter
- Relationship: Single
- Net worth: $3 million
early life
Tori Kelly was born Victoria Lauren on December 14, 1992 in Wildomar, California to Allwyn and Laura Kelly. Her father is of Puerto Rican and Jamaican descent, and her mother is of Irish and German descent. She also has a younger brother and sister.
She was born into a musical family. Her father, a construction worker, could sing and play bass, and her mother was an accomplished keyboardist and saxophone player.
Influenced by her parents, she listened to all kinds of music from a young age. She liked gospel music and was deeply influenced by pop music and R&B. Crystal Lewis, Jill Scott, Jeff Buckley and Maxwell were her early influences.
Profession
In 2003, she auditioned for the TV show Star Search in hopes of becoming a singer. The following year, she appeared on America’s Most Talented Kids. She won the competition and was signed to Geffen Records. Unfortunately, she didn’t release any songs there due to disagreements.
In 2007, at the age of 14, Tori Kelly made her first attempt at recording music and building a fan base. She began recording songs on her computer and uploading them to YouTube. She began by singing covers of pop songs, most notably her take on Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ Bout You.”
After failing to make the top 24 on her debut EP, American Idol, she focused onTori Kelly’s Handmade Songs‘She released the album The Last of the Last under her own company Toraay Records on May 1, 2012. She not only wrote the songs, but also recorded and produced the CD.
Her next single,Fill a heartwas published in February 2013 as part of ConAgra Foods and Feeding America’s “End Childhood Hunger” campaign.Fill a heart‘ tour to support the cause. In 2013, Scooter Braun helped her sign with Capitol Records and became her manager after hearing her songs on YouTube. Carey was hesitant to sign another contract because she had previously signed a contract with Geffen Records that went nowhere, but was reassured by the fact that the producer was a fan of hers.
Capitol Records released her second EP, “Preface”, which was released on October 22, 2013. In the United States, the song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In November 2013, she performed as a solo support act for Ed Sheeran at Madison Square Garden.
The SongSilent‘This is her special for the 2014 filmGiver” appears in the film. Her live performance of the song on her YouTube channel has been viewed over 4.5 million times.
Her first UK top ten success was ‘lullaby”, a collaboration 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 sang two MTV songs, “Interesting” and”Dear Nobody”
She postedNo one lovesThis is the lead single from her debut album.Unbreakable smile” was released on February 8, 2015. The album was released on June 23, 2015, and included performers such as 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”Cute things”
In the 2016 film Sing, she played the elephant Mina. On the one-month anniversary of her death, she released her original song “In the blink of an eye‘In tribute to fellow singer and friend Christina Grimmie.
Awards & Recognition
Tori Kelly was named a “Breakthrough Artist” by Billboard Women in Music 2015. The YouTube Music Awards named her “50 Artists to Watch‘The second year.
In 2016, she was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The following year, she won theBreakthrough Artist of the Year”
Personal life
Tori Kelly has worked with Ed Sheeran several times and has a close relationship with the British singer. In an interview with Seventeen, she said that although she considers Ed Sheeran a friend and mentor, their relationship is strictly professional. She is currently single.
net worth
Tori Kelly, an American singer-songwriter, has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
Social Media
- Instagram: @torikelly
- Twitter: @torikelly
