Andrea Bocelli and popular YouTube star perform a showstopping cover of “The Prayer”
When someone’s singing career begins on YouTube, it’s hard to believe they might be able to hold their own during a duet with the iconic Italian opera-turned-pop star Andrea Bocelli.
And that’s especially true when the part they’re singing was originally written for Celine Dion!
Alas, Tori Kelly not only wowed the crowd but fulfilled her dreams of both singing with the legend as well as with a full orchestra back in 2016.
Prior to that, she was singing covers of other artists’ songs on her YouTube channel.
But everything changed when her video of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ ‘Bout You” with Angie Girl beatboxing went viral.
After that, she became a household name when she was a semi-finalist in the 9th season of American Idol back in 2010.
But by the time she sang with Bocelli, she had already been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and was a long way from her teenage YouTube videos.
And the performance held live in Seattle at Key Arena must have been a pleasure for both parties because they had sung together before at the 2015 MTV European Music Awards, performing “Give Me A Reason” to a screaming crowd.
That was breathtaking! @AndreaBocelli and @ToriKelly
wow just wow @MTVAUSTRALIA #MTVEMA pic.twitter.com/9RHuff22T2— Hit Entertainment (@HitTrending) October 25, 2015
The song “The Prayer” has been covered dozens – even hundreds – of times by other pop stars over the years.
It was released by both Bocelli and Dion as part of The Quest For Camelot‘s soundtrack in 1998.
Since then they’ve both sang it with other people – including Dion’s famous rendition with Josh Groban.
But Bocelli and Tori Kelly’s duet is special not just for its vocals but for how far she’s come after self-starting her music career.
And it’s certainly not just luck – this girl has some pipes!
AND she sings in Italian!
Many of her fans have followed her career because she is a devout Christian.
“I respect Tori Kelly, she has stayed true to herself and her love for God, and did not allow the music industry to destroy her pure heartedness. She is so beautiful inside and out,” said one commenter.
And even people who have known her for years have been commenting on the videos across social media:
“I used to do sound for her before the fame, a more humble, sweet and talented singer I have had the pleasure of knowing… so glad she is popular.”
Of course, our favorite comment (which we truly hope is authentic) comes from her church nursery aide and was written on her Facebook post of the video 4 years ago:
“This was so beautiful. I remember changing your diapers in the nursery at church and watching you sing along at worship practice, you and Christian Fergerstrom playing (I was his baby sitter). You have grown into a beautiful young woman and oh my, your voice. Love seeing you with all these greats and showing you have the chops to stand beside them. Also great for a young woman that can really sing and not selling their sexuality but relying on their God given talent.”
It just goes to show you that no matter how famous you get, there’s always someone out there who remembers your dirty diapers!
Be sure to scroll down to see their mesmerizing performance.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.