Tori Kelly Shares Testimony Of Overcoming Rejection And Putting Faith In God
Singer/Songwriter and former American Idol Contestant,Tori Kelly opens up about her life in the music industry and how she began to doubt herself. It’s been said often that the life of a performer is very difficult. These talented individuals are constantly being told what they did wrong and are compared to other artists. Tori Kelly was no exception and found that overtime those critiques led her to being crippled by other’s words and not focus on her own strengths.
In a White Chair Film, Tori shared that as a young 12-year-old girl entering the music industry she had a lot of hopes and dreams. After signing a record label early on and having it later taken away with little warning, Tori was crushed. She struggled to find another executive producer to sign her. The reasons were often the same – “you’re so reserved, you’re too shy, quiet… they wanted me to be this outgoing bubbly personality which I didn’t have. That’s when I really started comparing myself to other people.”
As Tori faced more rejection after being sent home on American Idol, she began to journal and sometimes those were prayers: “Lord, guide me, I don’t know who I am without singing… If this doesn’t work out, what am I going to do?” Emotionally, Tori shared that she began to realize that she wasn’t going to be those other people. God had created her the way He intended, with her own personal set of gifts and strengths. She offered this encouraging message to other young girls:
“...be the girl that God uniquely made as YOU, and you don’t have to compare yourself to anybody.”
In her journaling and prayer time, Tori offered her path completely to God.
“God, You said You had a plan for my life and I’m just gonna trust that.”
That’s when Tori shared that doors began to open. Tori began to write her own music and post her videos online. She found herself able to share messages that were uplifting and encouraging. God was using her experience to shape her and help her see that He made he