Mandisa, a contemporary Christian singer who appeared on “American Idol” and won a Grammy for her 2013 album ‘Overcomer’, has died. She was 47. A representative for the singer told The Associated Press that the singer was found dead in her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday. The representative said the cause of Mandisa’s death was not yet known.
Quick Read
- Grammy-winning contemporary Christian singer Mandisa, known for her album “Overcomer,” has died at the age of 47. She was found dead in her Nashville home on Thursday, with the cause of death yet undetermined.
- Mandisa, who rose to fame after participating in “American Idol” in 2006, released multiple albums and openly shared her battles with depression and weight.
- Her struggles and openness were highlighted in her 2022 memoir, resonating deeply with her audience and contributing to broader conversations about mental health in the Christian community.
The Associated Press has the story:
Mandisa, Grammy-winning singer and ‘American Idol’ alum, dies at 47
Newslooks- NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) —
Mandisa, a contemporary Christian singer who appeared on “American Idol” and won a Grammy for her 2013 album ‘Overcomer’, has died. She was 47.
A representative for the singer told The Associated Press that the singer was found dead in her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday. The representative said the cause of Mandisa’s death was not yet known.
Mandisa, whose full name was Mandisa Lynn Hundley, was born near Sacramento, California, and grew up singing in church. She gained stardom after finishing ninth on “American Idol” in 2006.
As she left, host Ryan Seacrest told the singer that she was “a great spirit on the show.”
Mandisa moved on, releasing her debut album in 2007 called “True Beauty,” which received a Grammy nomination that year for best pop and contemporary gospel album.
She went on to release five more albums, including a Christmas album.
In 2014, she won a Grammy for best contemporary Christian music album for “Overcomer,” her fifth album.
Mandisa spoke openly about her struggles with depression, releasing a memoir entitled “Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy” in 2022 that detailed her experiences with severe depression, weight-related challenges, the coronavirus pandemic and her faith.
On Friday, the Christian radio network K-Love paid tribute to the singer on social media, saying: “Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles.”