How Kelly Clarkson On ‘American Idol’ Turned An Iraqi Refugee Into A World Superstar
FOX The Kelly Clarkson Show never fails to put us in our feels. Kelly Clarkson is always bringing on people with inspiring stories much like her latest guest Emmanuel Kelly. Watch the interview below of his incredible journey to stardom and the showstopping performance that will leave you speechless.
Kelly Clarkson Is Inspired By Emmanuel Kelly And His Incredible Journey
Kelly told Emmanuel to explain his story to the viewers because it truly inspired her so much. Emmanuel was found abandoned in a box as an infant in Iraq by some soldiers that took him to an orphanage. He was then raised by nuns for the next seven years of his life where he also met his now brother Ahmed who is now a Paralympian. They both have underdeveloped limbs as a result of chemical warfare in the country. A humanitarian by the name of Moria Kelly took the boys to Australia where she raised them. He credits this time as a huge period for learning because he began to learn to walk for the first time, use a knife and fork and “all the things we kind of take for granted every day.”
SEE ALSO: WATCH LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA CONFESS TO KELLY CLARKSON HOW HE BROKE THE LAW FOR A YEAR DURING ‘HAMILTON’
“But when I was in Iraq, music was like my salvation so when I came out to Australia, I learned I could create a career out of this,” he said. What Emmanuel said next really touched Kelly’s heart. “I remember one day I was watching a TV show, and that TV show was American Idol…. And I see this woman and I’m thinking, ‘Now, she’s got one hell of a voice!’ Right? And it was you!” he told The Voice coach. “And so that day, I realized that, ‘You know what? If she can do it, I can as well. And I’m going to push on and fight.'” He cited her as one of his musical inspirations along with Andrea Bocelli and Coldplay which Kelly was shocked she made it on the list.
Emmanuel Delivered A Show-Stopping Performance
Before performing his song called “Never Alone” Emmanuel confessed that he was excited that The Kelly Clarkson Show is his “first American national and worldwide talk show.” The Voice coach was shocked yet again and wished that she could have Emmanuel in the studio. Obviously the coronavirus pandemic has forced Kelly to do all of her shows remotely with virtual guests but maybe sometime in the future, we will get to see the two together in the same room. The comments on the video are all praising Emmanuel for his upbeat personality and not letting anything stand in his way of reaching his dreams of becoming a music superstar. And judging by this incredible performance, he is well on his way.
This is definitely only the beginning for Emmanuel who previously auditioned for The X Factor in 2011.
