Emmanuel Kelly, a groundbreaking artist and advocate for authentic representation of differently-abled individuals, has reached new milestones with the support of Nissan during his performances as an opening act for Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” World Tour in Australia and New Zealand. Kelly’s inspiring story, from being abandoned in war-torn Iraq and later adopted by Australian humanitarian Moira Kelly AO, to his rise in the global music scene, showcases resilience and determination against all odds.
In this historic initiative, Nissan provided Kelly with its Nissan X-TRAIL compact SUVs to facilitate smooth transportation across Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland. This partnership is part of Nissan’s broader Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, which focuses on fostering inclusivity and supporting individuals breaking barriers. Andrew Humberstone, Vice President & Managing Director of Nissan Oceania, emphasized the alignment between Kelly’s remarkable talent and Nissan’s commitment to enabling diversity and equality.
Kelly’s collaboration with Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, has been instrumental in his career trajectory. Martin worked alongside Kelly as the executive producer of his upcoming album, “DREAM FEVER,” which will release in conjunction with a documentary chronicling Kelly’s rise in music. Their shared vision also led to the founding of Outlyer Entertainment in 2022, an entity created to empower and promote authentic representation of people with disabilities in media.
Nissan’s involvement not only highlights its support for a unique musical journey but also underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and social sustainability. Kelly’s ongoing efforts, including his 2011 X-Factor audition that captivated audiences worldwide and his recent EP “No Zodiac,” reflect his mission to showcase the creativity and potential of differently-abled individuals. His story exemplifies how partnerships like the one with Nissan can uplift underrepresented voices, driving positive change across communities.
