If you’ve spent any time on the "vocal bible" side of the internet, you know Tori Kelly. Her runs? Flawless. Her range? Terrifyingly good. But for a long time, her personal life was basically a locked vault.
Then came André Murillo.
Most people know him as "the guy who married Tori Kelly" or "that tall athlete on her Instagram." There’s a lot more to the story than just being a supportive spouse, though. Honestly, their relationship is one of the few in Hollywood—or the music industry, whatever you want to call it—that actually feels grounded. No messy public feuds. No weird PR stunts. Just a guy who was born in Germany, played professional hoops, and eventually became the rock for one of the best singers of our generation during her scariest moments.
Who is André Murillo?
André isn't just a "plus-one." He’s a 6'7" powerhouse with a pretty intense backstory. Born in Bremerhaven, Germany, on May 18, 1990, he’s got that dual-nationality vibe. He grew up in Lake Forest, California, which is where the basketball journey really kicked off.
He wasn't just some hobbyist. André was a legit athlete. He played for Biola University and later went pro back in Germany, suiting up for teams like the Hamburg Towers and the Rostock Seawolves. If you look at his stats from the 2016-2017 season, the guy was averaging nearly 16 points a game. He was a force in the German ProB league.
But sports wasn't the end-all-be-all. He’s always been super vocal about his faith, which is a huge deal for both him and Tori. He even majored in Biblical Studies. It’s kinda the glue of their whole situation.
The 2018 Wedding: Less Is More
These two didn't go for the massive, televised celebrity wedding. Thank goodness.
They got engaged in September 2017 and kept everyone guessing until May 2018. They tied the knot in a private ceremony that looked like something straight out of a Pinterest board—but, like, a cool one. It was tucked away in the mountains, likely near Malibu.
Tori wore this incredible Galia Lahav gown, and André kept it classic in a black suit. When they finally posted the photos, Tori used a quote from theologian Tim Keller: "To be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God."
It was a vibe. Simple. Authentic. Not for the cameras, but for them.
The Scary Part: Standing by Tori in 2023
You probably remember the headlines from July 2023. It was terrifying. Tori was at dinner with friends in Los Angeles when she suddenly collapsed. Her heart rate went through the roof, and she ended up in the ICU at Cedars-Sinai.
Doctors found blood clots in her legs and her lungs. It was serious. Like, life-threatening serious.
This is where André really stepped up. He became the primary source of truth for worried fans. While the tabloids were speculating, he was posting black-and-white updates on his Instagram Stories. He was the one telling us she was "smiling again" and "feeling stronger," even when they weren't "fully out of the woods."
Seeing a guy handle a crisis with that much grace? That’s how you know the relationship is real. He wasn't looking for clout; he was just looking out for his wife.
Growing the Family: Meet Zayden Michael Murillo
Fast forward to 2025, and things took a much happier turn. After years of being "dog parents" to their poodle, Frodo Murillo-Baggins (yes, they are Lord of the Rings nerds), they finally leveled up.
In July 2025, while Tori was actually on a massive stadium tour with Ed Sheeran, she revealed she was pregnant. Can you imagine? Singing those high notes in 11 different countries with a baby on the way. She called him a "little gift from God," and honestly, after the health scare the year before, it felt like a huge win.
Zayden Michael Murillo arrived on November 11, 2025.
They shared the news on Instagram with a joint post, showing off his tiny feet. It’s cool because they’ve managed to stay "famous" without letting the "fame" eat their private lives. They’re just... a family.
Why Their Dynamic Actually Works
In an interview back in 2019, Tori mentioned that André is "the best" because he lets her be herself. It sounds simple, but in the entertainment world, it’s rare. They spent a good chunk of their early relationship doing the long-distance thing while he was playing in Germany and she was touring the world.
That kind of distance either breaks you or makes you bulletproof. For them, it clearly did the latter.
André has mostly retired from the professional court these days. He’s focused more on writing and his personal journey, but he remains her biggest hype man. You’ll see him at almost every major performance, usually tucked in the wings or standing in the back, just watching her do her thing.
What to Keep in Mind Moving Forward
If you're following their journey, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
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- Tori's Music Evolution: Expect her next projects to be heavily influenced by motherhood. She’s already teased that her 2024 album TORI. was just the beginning of a more "vulnerable" era.
- Health Watch: While she’s doing great and is on simple maintenance medication for the blood clots, she’s been open about how life feels "fragile" now.
- André’s Projects: Keep an eye on his social media for more of his writing and testimony work. He’s got a lot to say about overcoming obstacles.
The best way to support them? Listen to the music and respect the boundaries. They’ve shown us that you can be a global superstar and still have a normal, loving marriage at home.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to see more of their life together, you can check out Tori's "Coffee" music video or the "U" lyric video—both have little nods to their relationship. You can also follow André on Instagram for the occasional (and very cute) update on baby Zayden.