Interview With Grammy Nominee Tori Kelly
Published
If you're still unaware of the name 'Tori Kelly', where have you been the past few months?
Tori began making YouTube videos at the age of 14 where she covered well known songs. Her videos reached a huge audience and the views rose quicker than she could ever have imagined.
At the age of 16, Tori entered American Idol, a talent show for singers, where she was eliminated from the show before she even made it to the live final stages. Simon Cowell called her voice 'annoying', but Tori decided to take the negative comments on the chin and used them to her advantage, returning stronger and more confident than ever.
Tori continued making YouTube videos whilst her view count went soaring up. Her cover of 'Thinking bout you' has reached a staggering 25 million views.
Scooter Braun, the manager of Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande discovered Tori Kelly in a coffee shop and after 6 months of him trying to persuade her to join his record label, she agreed.
She has gone on to create her debut album 'Unbreakable Smile' which has become greatly successful across the world.
On Friday night, Tori played at Brixton Academy which she classed as being one of her 'dream venues' after seeing good friend James Bay there last year.
Before the show, winners of a competition had the chance to have 'Tea with Tori' which she snap chatted to all of her fans. The lucky 5 chosen got to enjoy a chat and a cup of tea with their favourite artist... cool or what?!
Tori can be noticed by her incredible curly, blonde hair and stylish outfit choices. Due to her success mainly being recognised in America, I was unsure of how the UK were going to react to her. As I approached the venue I was taken back by the capitalised 'SOLD OUT' letters below her name. I turned my head to see hundreds of fans queuing a mile down the road hours before the doors were to open. It got me wondering if Brixton Academy was even big enough for all her fans to be able to attend.
As always, on stage she did not fail to impress with her flawless vocals. She sang the majority of songs from her album as well as some of her well known covers including PYT and Suit and Tie. Her vocal range left the crowd cheering every few seconds. I have to say, I have not heard an artist get a reception like she received in years.
She ensured that she used the whole stage to interact with all of the audience. For a few songs however, she sat on a stool in the centre of the stage and did an acoustic set using her guitar. Without the backing music, her soft yet powerful voice filled the venue and she certainly did not fail to hit every single note.
In the audience, her manager Scooter Braun, radio presenter Nick Grimshaw, presenter Laura Whitmore and boy band Rixton all took a seat to appreciate Tori's show.
As the show came to a close, I appreciated the whole hour and a half set even more as I knew instantly that I was never going to get the chance to see Tori in a venue this small again.
Tori's music style is very varied, but hit songs 'Should've been us' which she ended the show with, would most certainly be labelled as 'pop'.
I had the opportunity also to interview the star in her hotel room the morning before the big show. In this interview she talks the Grammy's, who she would most like to collaborate with and about her album. This one is definitely great for both her huge fans to find out some more about her and those who are completely new to her music. I can assure you that not only does this girl have talent, but she has such a warm heart too and after spending around half an hour with her I already felt as though we had known each other for years.
After the interview, Tori was keen to take selfies and even recorded her first ever face swap with ME! Definitely worth a watch at the end of the interview video linked below.
