Emmanuel Kelly, formerly of X-Factor, to open for Snoop Dogg at Salute The Troops Music and Comedy Festival

Salute The Troops Music and Comedy Festival announced today that Emmanuel Kelly will perform at the Fox Theatre in Pomona, CA on Saturday, March 23rd in direct support of Snoop Dogg. Emmanuel was born in Iraq, is a child of war and was rescued by US Service Members. He has performed on the X-Factor and has most recently been on tour with Coldplay and recorded tracks with Imagine Dragons. 

Watch Kelly sing "Imagine" with Coldplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TR3cBly2LQ

Emmanuel was born with severely underdeveloped limbs due to chemical warfare in his community.  In 2000, he was adopted by humanitarian Moria Kelly and moved to Australia where over the next several years, he had eight life-altering surgeries. Through rehabilitation, Emmanuel learned how to walk, drive a car, dress himself and much more. 

Read more about Emmanuel’s story via Billboard: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8260848/meet-emmanuel-kelly-singer-differently-abled-pop-star-x-factor-coldplay-chris-martin

After being discovered on X-Factor and fulfilling his goal of becoming the first “differently-abled pop star” Emmanuel is passionate about raising money for disadvantaged, differently-abled children, and cancer research. Emmanuel has now performed in front of audiences of up to 100,000 in venues like the Sydney Opera House and MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

On the addition of Emmanuel to the Salute The Troops roster, co-founder of the festival, Nate Parienti said this: “This really adds a unique twist to our event and crystallizes the message of Service members, activist artists, veterans, children of war and the general public coming together to heal through music and comedy.”

Watch his X-Factor performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY37l4PDsao

About Salute The Troops:

Salute The Troops Music And Comedy Festival was founded by Nate Parienti and co-founded with John Wertz (USMC 2001-2006) of Semper Fi Productions. Salute The Troops will take place at iconic Goldenvoice venues, The Fox Theatre and the Glass House from Friday, March 22nd - Sunday, March 24th in downtown Pomona, CA. The event is aimed at raising awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress and the epidemic suicide rates among returning soldiers and veterans. Two-day tickets are on sale now at www.SaluteTheTroops.com