Stepfon Posted April 19 Posted April 19 Mandisa, the Grammy Award-winning singer who got her break as a contestant on season 5 of American Idol, died on Thursday, April 18 at the age of 47. "We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased," a rep for the singer tells PEOPLE in a statement. "At this time we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time." A soulful singer with a magnetic personality, she'd go on to gain national attention on the reality competition show's fifth season (which began airing in 2006), making it to the top 10 alongside favorites like Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry, Paris Bennett, Elliott Yamin and eventual winner Taylor Hicks. She went on release her debut album, True Beauty, in 2007. The LP debuted at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums charts — a historic feat that made Mandisa the first new female artist ever to debut on the top of the chart's 27-year history. True Beauty was the first six albums Mandisa would release throughout her career, including an acclaimed 2008 holiday record, It's Christmas, and her most recent offering, 2017's Out of the Dark. Four of those albums — True Beauty, Freedom (2009), What If We Were Real (2011) and Overcomer (2013) — all earned Mandisa Grammy nominations, the first two for best pop/contemporary gospel album and the last two for best contemporary Christian music album. She'd take the trophy in 2014, the same year she was also nominated for best gospel/contemporary Christian music performance for her song, "Overcomer." Her 2022 memoir Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God's Joy, chronicled her experience with depression and anxiety following the loss of a close friend to cancer, which she called her "deep dark" period. Seeking comfort in food, she isolated herself as her health spiraled. As her lowest point, she even considered suicide. "I was so miserable; I felt so hopeless," said Mandisa. "I am a woman of faith, and I believe that heaven is real, and when I do leave here, I'm going to be in heaven with Jesus. One of the things I started hearing during that dark period was: 'You're in so much pain. If you take your life, you could be in heaven right now with Jesus.'" American Idol Star Mandisa Dead at 47 (people.com)
kishi Posted April 19 Posted April 19 So sad. She was a favorite of mine that season. I got to meet her during the Idol summer tour. RIP
dabunique Posted April 19 Posted April 19 Bendito she was so good but didn't she end up being a huge homophobe? damn i'll be 47 in a month, i need to watch out 2
Just a Gay on ATRL Posted April 19 Posted April 19 She was so insanely talented and I remembered she found a lot of success as a gospel singer after American Idol. This is terribly sad. Rest in peace and bless the heavens with your wonderful voice, Mandisa.
SLIME Posted April 19 Posted April 19 OMG I loved her. That was the first season I watched and I was obsessed. May she rest in peace. 🕊️
GreatestLoveofAll Posted April 19 Posted April 19 wtf noooo. Overcomer always made me so happy. i hope whatever it was was swift- condolences to her family.
Davidoff Posted April 19 Posted April 19 So unexpected and sad. Overcomer was a great song and it went viral few years ago in a video where a girl with cancer was singing along to it. RIP
Scandalous Posted April 19 Posted April 19 this is so sad, my mom loved her music and she seems like such a sweet lady
Tudors Posted April 19 Posted April 19 4 hours ago, dabunique said: Bendito she was so good but didn't she end up being a huge homophobe? damn i'll be 47 in a month, i need to watch out https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/entertainment/events/2006/04/09/ent-76796-shtml/14771478007/
Miles. Posted April 19 Posted April 19 Oh no! That's so sad. Growing up, my family listened to a lot of Christian music, and she was always my absolute favorite. I have all her albums, and still listen to her Christmas one every year. Her music was so joyful. May she rest in peace.
izzy™ Posted April 20 Posted April 20 I remember I used to listen to her song Overcomer all the time, may she rest in peace
IBeMe Posted April 20 Posted April 20 I actually remember her! she was amazing :( May she rest in peace
ATRL Moderator Element Posted April 20 ATRL Moderator Posted April 20 i'm shocked and saddened! she was one of my faves during my first ever AI season... she was so talented. RIP.
Soda Pop Queen Posted April 20 Posted April 20 Dang, she was on Idol when it still was a significant thing in pop culture. Hope she's at peace now.
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