https://nypost.com/2024/04/19/entertainment/mandisa-dead-american-idol-alum-grammy-winner-dies-at-47/

“American Idol” alum Mandisa has died. She was 47.

Christian rock radio station K-Love announced her passing on Friday.

The California native, whose full name was Mandisa Hundley, died at her home in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday.

“Even more than her music, the Platinum-selling singer will forever be known for her huge heart and sincerity,’ Christian radio station K-Love said in a statement, per Daily Mail.

“Mandisa loved Jesus, and she used her unusually extensive platform to talk about Him at every turn. Her kindness was epic, her smile electric, her voice massive, but it was no match for the size of her heart,” the station’s media officer, David Pierce went on.

“Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles.”

The musician is best known for landing in the Top 10 when she appeared on Season 5 of “American Idol,” placing in ninth. At the time, she cited Def Leppard and Whitney Houston as some of her musical influences.

Mandisa studied vocal jazz at American River College in Sacramento and music at Fisk University in Tennessee.


She went on to release her debut album, “True Beauty,” in 2007. Her 2013 album, “Overcomer,” won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

Mandisa’s cause of death is still unknown.

Very sad.

"American Idol" Sets Mandisa Tribute
by Armando Tinoco
April 21, 2024


"American Idol" is set to pay tribute to the late Mandisa, a Season 5 contestant in the singing competition.

On the episode set to air on Monday, April 29 on ABC, the show will remember the 2005 alum.



“Mandisa was an adored icon on American Idol and in the music industry,” the show said in a statement.

“She had become a platinum-selling artist and had won several Grammys for her music. Her passing has left everyone on the show heartbroken, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family.”



Ryan Seacrest took a moment from Sunday’s show to announce the special tribute to Mandisa set for next week.

“We wanted to take a moment to honor a dear member of the Idol family who we sadly lost this week — Mandisa,” Seacrest said. “She was an inspiration on the show and beyond. We’re going to celebrate her next week with a very special musical tribute. Our hearts go out to her family and all of those, like us, who called her a friend.”

https://deadline.com/2024/04/american-idol-mandisa-tribute-dead-season-5-contestant-1235891196/

Mandisa's cause of death revealed: American Idol star passed away from obesity complications aged 47 (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13495031/Mandisas-cause-death-revealed-passing-aged-47.html)

Died (https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/mandisas-cause-of-death-revealed-after-grammy-winning-american-idol-alum-died-at-47-complications-from-obesity.5629684/) in April.