Gospel singer Mandisa, who began her singing career as a contestant on “American Idol,” has died. She was 47 years old.
Mandisa's father, John Hundley, confirmed Mandisa's death to Fox News Digital and said he was shocked. The cause of the singer's death is unknown.
Max Wintz, director of public affairs for the Franklin Police Department, told FOX News Digital that authorities are “actively conducting a death investigation stemming from a body found in a residence Thursday night.”
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Mandisa performs on stage at the 6th Annual KLOVE Fan Awards at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on May 27, 2018. (Jason Davis/Getty Images for KLOVE)
Mandisa appeared on season 5 of “American Idol” in 2006 and made it to the top 9 on the music competition show. A year later, she released her first full-length album, “True Beauty.”
During her time on “American Idol,” she became known not only for her powerful vocals, but also for the emotional speech she gave to judge Simon Cowell. After her audition, Cowell made a comment about her weight, and she later addressed Cowell's comments in a conversation with Cowell and her fellow judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. I questioned.
“Simon, a lot of people want me to say a lot of things to you,” she began. “But what I want to say to you is, yes, you hurt me, and I cried, and it hurt. It really did. But I hope I forgive you.” I want you to know that you are not.'' If forgiving someone requires someone to apologize, then if Jesus died and all my mistakes were forgiven. I certainly think I can extend the same grace to you. ”
Mandisa had a touching moment with Simon Cowell while appearing on 'American Idol'. (Ray Mikushaw/Wire Image)
Cowell immediately hugged her and said he was “horrified” and felt “a millimeter smaller”.
His comments helped inspire the name of her first album. In 2013, she told The Hollywood Reporter, “I came straight from 'American Idol' and had Simon Cowell talk about how I looked and recorded 'True Beauty.'” [asking questions like] “Where am I going to place my worth?” “Am I going to let someone like Simon determine my worth? Or am I going to trust what God says about me?”
The gospel album performed well on the music charts, reaching number one. After its release, it ranked 43rd on the Billboard 200. This work also earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.
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Mandisa was nominated for the award in 2010 for her album Freedom, and in 2012 her album What If We Were Real was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. She won this award in 2014 for her album Overcomer.
Mandisa was nominated for four Grammy Awards and won one in 2014. (Jason Davis/Getty Images for KLOVE)
She specifically missed the awards ceremony and the next day posted on her website, citing her busy schedule and her reluctance to be criticized for her appearance, saying, “I'm not about being in the world, I'm about being in the world.'' He explained that he was absent from the show because “I've been having a hard time.” Lately, I have fallen prey to the lure of the flesh, pride, and selfish desires. ”
That same year, she experienced a great personal loss when her best friend passed away after a battle with cancer. In her 2017 “Good Morning America” interview, she revealed that her friend's death had made her question her own faith and was struggling with her mental health.
“It got pretty bad. If I hadn't gone down that road, I wouldn't be sitting here today,” she admitted. “As I say, God. Literally, God saved my life.”
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She also said that friends intervened to help her pull out of a deep depression, which inspired her last album, 2017's “Out of the Dark.”
Mandisa attended the premiere of Overcomer on August 15, 2019 at the Woodruff Arts Center & Symphony Hall in Atlanta. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images, AFFIRM Films A Sony Company)
“I realized I didn’t have to be perfect and have it all together,” she said. “I am a masterpiece in the making, but for now it is unfinished.”
In 2022, she published a memoir titled Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find Joy in God. The book's publisher, K-Love, released a statement about her death through the organization's chief media officer, David Pearce.
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“Mandisa loved Jesus and used her unusually wide platform to speak about Jesus on many occasions,” he said. “Her kindness was amazing, her smile was amazing, and her voice was huge, but no one could match the size of her heart. Mandisa was struggling, but she It helped us to talk about our struggles because we were weak enough to share. Mandisa's struggle is over. She is now with the God she sang. We grieve. But please join us as we pray for Mandisa's family and friends.”
Emily Traynham is the entertainment editor at Fox News Digital.