Mandisa, a Season 5 Top 10 American Idol competitor who went on to a Grammy-winning career in Christian music, died at her home in Nashville yesterday. She was 47.
Her death was announced by K-Love, the Christian radio network. No cause of death was disclosed.
“Mandisa loved Jesus, and she used her unusually extensive platform to talk about Him at every turn,” said David Pierce, K-Love Chief Media Officer. “Her kindness was epic, her smile electric, her voice massive, but it was no match for the size of her heart.
“Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles,” Pierce continued. “Mandisa’s struggles are over. She is with the God she sang about now. While we are saddened, Mandisa is home. We’re praying for Mandisa’s family and friends and ask you to join us.”
Mandisa’s 2013 album Overcomer won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
Born Mandisa Hundley and raised in California, Mandisa built a national profile with her participation in 2006 on Season 5 of American Idol. She finished in the season’s Top 10, and the following year released her debut album True Beauty.
Her 2013 album Overcomer would prove to be her signature effort, a popular album with critics and audiences. Overcomer became a Christian radio staple with singles including “Stronger,” “Good Morning (feat. TobyMac)” and “My Deliverer.” The album went on to win the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
Over the course of her nearly 20-year recording career, she released five albums and a Christmas compilation.
Information on survivors was not immediately available.
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