American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly has set the internet ablaze with a surprise collaboration featuring Filipino vocal powerhouse Morisette Amon.
The Grammy-winning artist recently shared a TikTok clip of the two singing the beloved Tagalog hit “Akin Ka Na Lang,” accompanied by Filipino-American singer and YouTuber AJ Rafael on piano. The unexpected pairing has left fans in a frenzy, celebrating the seamless blend of talent from both sides of the Pacific.
This marks the first collaboration between Kelly and Morisette, a milestone that showcases their vocal chemistry. In the clip, Kelly takes the lead, delivering the Tagalog lyrics with impressive finesse, her signature riffs and runs adding a fresh twist to the song. Morisette, harmonizing beautifully in the second voice, couldn’t contain her admiration, visibly beaming as Kelly brought her own flair to the performance. The synergy between the two was undeniable, with Rafael’s soulful piano tying it all together.
Fans flooded the comments section with excitement, barely able to process the star-studded moment. “Morisette and Tori in one room? I can’t breathe!” one TikTok user gushed.
Another fan, Jep, echoed a common sentiment: “Now we need the full version, ASAP!”
The collaboration’s cultural crossover also earned praise for Rafael, with user “friemdly neighborhood bigboi” joking, “AJ Rafael out here converting Americans to Pinoys,” crediting him for bridging the two artists.
The original composer of “Akin Ka Na Lang,” Kikx Salazar, was equally starstruck. Written for the prestigious Himig Handog Love Song songwriting contest, the song has now received a global spotlight thanks to this trio. Salazar took to TikTok to express his disbelief and gratitude: “I’m still on cloud 9… still processing this happened! My written song being performed by these three??? Help me wake up! Hahaha thank you for this! I’m gonna cry! It’s so beautiful!”
Both Kelly and Morisette share a history as alums of iconic TV singing competitions—Kelly from American Idol and Morisette from The Voice Philippines. Their paths have now converged in this delightful musical moment, which feels like a full-circle achievement for the two. Morisette, a regular performer on ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime variety show ASAP, brings her seasoned stage presence to the collaboration, while Kelly’s international appeal elevates the song to new heights.
Netizens continue to buzz with reactions, from Krystel’s ecstatic “Nooo! Not Kelly singing a Tagalog song!” to countless calls for an official release. While it’s unclear if a full version is in the works, one thing is certain: this collaboration has struck a chord, uniting fans across borders and proving the universal language of music.
For now, the TikTok clip remains on repeat for fans worldwide, a testament to the magic that happens when powerhouse talents like Tori Kelly, Morisette Amon, and AJ Rafael come together.
