Tori Kelly

Tori Kelly is an American singer-songwriter who first gained attention as a teenager through YouTube, where her powerful vocals and heartfelt songwriting attracted millions of viewers. Born in Wildomar, California, she appeared on Season 9 of ‘Star Search’ at just 10 years old and later auditioned for ‘American Idol’ Season 9 in 2010, making it to the Hollywood round. Rather than being discouraged by not advancing further, she turned to YouTube and social media, building a massive online following that would eventually lead to a major label deal.

Kelly signed with Capitol Records and released her debut album ‘Unbreakable Smile’ in 2015, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album showcased her extraordinary vocal range and songwriting abilities, blending pop, R&B, and gospel influences. She followed up with ‘Hiding Place’ in 2018, a gospel album that won two Grammy Awards: Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance/Song for ‘Never Alone’ featuring Kirk Franklin. This pivot to gospel music demonstrated her artistic depth and spiritual roots.

Beyond her recording career, Tori Kelly has built a reputation as one of the most talented live performers of her generation. Her voice has been featured in the animated film ‘Sing’ (2016) and its sequel ‘Sing 2’ (2021), where she voiced the character Meena. These voice acting roles introduced her to a wider audience and diversified her income beyond music alone. She has also collaborated with Ed Sheeran and appeared on numerous television shows.

In 2023, Tori Kelly made headlines when she was hospitalized for blood clots, but she made a full recovery and returned to performing. Her resilience both personally and professionally has endeared her to fans. With album sales, touring revenue, streaming income, voice acting royalties, and brand partnerships, Tori Kelly has built an estimated net worth of $8 million as of 2026.