Mandisa, the contemporary Christian singer renowned for her appearance on “American Idol” and her Grammy-winning album “Overcomer” in 2013, has passed away at the age of 47. A representative confirmed to The Associated Press that Mandisa was found deceased at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday. The cause of her death has not been determined yet.
Born Mandisa Lynn Hundley near Sacramento, California, she grew up singing in church before gaining widespread recognition by finishing ninth on “American Idol” in 2006. Upon her departure from the show, host Ryan Seacrest praised her as “a great spirit on the show.”
After her debut album “True Beauty” in 2007, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop and Contemporary Gospel Album, Mandisa continued her musical journey, releasing five more albums, including a Christmas collection.
In 2014, she clinched a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album with “Overcomer,” her fifth studio album.
Mandisa openly addressed her battles with depression, chronicling her journey in a memoir titled “Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy,” published in 2022. The memoir delved into her struggles with severe depression, weight issues, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and her unwavering faith.
On Friday, the Christian radio network K-Love paid homage to Mandisa on social media, acknowledging her struggles and the impact of her candidness, stating, “Mandisa faced challenges and bravely shared her journey with us, fostering open discussions about our own struggles.”