• Faith: Christian
• Career: Musician
• Birthday:  December 14, 1992

Tori Kelly is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and actress who first appeared on YouTube, where she posted videos of herself singing. She later appeared as a semi-finalist on American Idol before being signed to Capitol Records.

Tori Kelly was born Victoria Loren Kelly on Dec. 14, 1992, in Wildomar, California. She was raised in a musical household by her parents, Laura and Allwyn Kelly, and grew up listening to a wide variety of genres including gospel, pop, R&B, and soul. Her father is of Jamaican and Puerto Rican descent, while her mother has Irish and German roots. Kelly also has a younger brother named Noah.

From a young age, Kelly displayed exceptional musical talent. She competed on the television programs Star Search and America’s Most Talented Kid, winning the latter in 2004. As a teenager, she began posting singing videos on YouTube, where her powerful vocals and acoustic performances quickly attracted attention online.

Kelly later auditioned for the ninth season of American Idol in 2010. Although she advanced to Hollywood Week, she was eliminated before the live rounds. Rather than giving up, she continued building her fan base independently through social media and live performances.

In 2012, Kelly independently released her debut EP, Handmade Songs, which she wrote, produced, and recorded herself. The project showcased her songwriting ability and acoustic style, helping establish her as a rising artist outside the traditional music industry system.

Her career took a major step forward after manager Scooter Braun signed her and introduced her to executives at Capitol Records. In 2013, Kelly released her major-label EP Foreword, which debuted in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 chart.

Kelly broke into mainstream success with her debut studio album Unbreakable Smile in 2015. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and included popular singles such as “Nobody Love,” “Should’ve Been Us,” and “Hollow.” Her soulful vocals and blend of pop and R&B earned her widespread recognition and a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

In addition to her pop career, Kelly found success in gospel and inspirational music. Her 2018 album Hiding Place, produced alongside Kirk Franklin, earned critical acclaim and won Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance/Song. Kelly later released albums including Inspired by True Events (2019), A Tori Kelly Christmas (2020), Tori (2024), and God Must Really Love Me (2026).

Outside of music, Kelly also became known for voicing Meena the elephant in the animated films Sing and Sing 2.

Kelly became engaged to German basketball player André Murillo in 2017. The couple married in a private ceremony in 2018 after dating for several years.

In July 2025, Kelly announced that she and Murillo were expecting their first child. Their son, Zayden Michael Murillo, was born on Nov. 11, 2025. Kelly publicly expressed gratitude for motherhood and frequently described her son as a blessing from God.

Kelly has also been open about personal health challenges. In 2023, she was hospitalized after collapsing at a restaurant in Los Angeles. Doctors discovered blood clots around her lungs and legs. She later told fans she was recovering and thanked supporters for their prayers during the difficult experience.

Tori Kelly’s Religious Beliefs

Kelly has long been outspoken about her Christian faith and says her relationship with God remains the foundation of her life and career. Raised in church, she has consistently incorporated faith themes into her music, even while pursuing a mainstream music career.

Although many fans associate her with Christian music, Kelly has said she sees herself primarily as a mainstream artist who happens to be a Christian. She has explained that her faith naturally influences her songwriting and personal identity rather than defining her within a single music category.

Kelly has often spoken publicly about staying grounded in Christ despite fame and industry pressure. In interviews, she has said her faith is “everything” to her and credited God for helping her remain focused on her purpose.

Her gospel-focused album Hiding Place became one of the clearest expressions of her faith journey. Working alongside Kirk Franklin, Kelly blended gospel, worship, and R&B influences into a Grammy-winning project that introduced many mainstream listeners to inspirational music.

In recent years, Kelly has increasingly referenced faith, marriage, and motherhood as central themes in her music and public life. Speaking about her 2026 album God Must Really Love Me, she described the project as a reflection of gratitude for the blessings God has given her family and career.