Emmanuel Kelly was found in Iraq as a baby, half dead in a box at a park by two soldiers.

With no birth certificate, passport, and no known identity, it is nothing short of a miracle that he is alive today.

Taken to the Mother Theresa Orphanage in Baghdad where he met his now brother Ahmed, Emmanuel & Ahmed spent the next 7 and half years as children of war, living a nightmare, experiencing and seeing some of the worst of mankind. Every day they wondered if death would claim them, or if they’d live to see another day.

Humanitarian Moira Kelly heard about Ahmed and Emmanuel whilst working in Albania. Months later Moira flew to meet the brothers and immediately fell in love with their energy, will to survive and passion to create a world filled with love. 2 and a half years later, after many complications, Moira brought the brothers to Australia for life changing surgeries.

Over the next 14 years, Emmanuel had 6 surgeries, stepping over huge obstacles such as learning how to walk and how to feed himself using a knife and fork. But Emmanuel’s biggest obstacle was learning to embrace and love himself on the inside and out, overcoming his insecurities.

Emmanuel Kelly, becoming an X-Factor Superstar.

Today, Emmanuel has become a media sensation after his Australian “X-Factor” audition singing “Imagine” went viral, and has captured, inspired, and entertained close to 1 billion people worldwide with his performances.

Emmanuel shared about:

Biggest challenge growing up
How he learned to embrace himself
His life after becoming an X-Factor superstar

Emmanuel Kelly: Half-dead baby to X-Factor Superstar

Emmanuel Kelly was found in Iraq as a baby, half dead in a box at a park by two soldiers.

Emmanuel Kelly, becoming an X-Factor Superstar.

Join the our email newsletter to get podcast episodes and news updates delivered directly to your inbox.