AMERICAN IDOL to Honor Christian Singer Mandisa After Her Death in Upcoming Tribute
By Movieguide® Contributor
Christian artist Mandisa, an AMERICAN IDOL contestant on season 5, passed away on April 18 at the age of 47.
The competitive singing show will have a tribute for her in next week’s episode.
“Mandisa was an adored icon on AMERICAN IDOL and in the music industry,” AMERICAN IDOL 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.”
Host Ryan Seacrest announced the tribute on Sunday.
“We wanted to take a moment to honor a dear member of the IDOL family who we sadly lost this week — Mandisa,” he 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.”
Movieguide® reported on the 19th:
Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Mandisa died on Thursday, April 18, at her home in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 47 years old.
Her cause of death is unknown.
“We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased,” a rep for the singer told PEOPLE. “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.”
Deadline shared K-Love’s Chief Media Officer David Pierce’s kind words about the artist, whose songs have run on K-Love’s radio channel for years.
“Mandisa loved Jesus, and she used her unusually extensive platform to talk about Him at every turn,” he said. “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.
He 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 battled with depression, her image and shame.
She told PEOPLE in 2017 that after her best friend and backup singer Kisha Mitchell passed away in 2014, she started to gain a lot of weight. She became depressed and suicidal.
“I didn’t leave the house, for the most part. When I got up, I went downstairs, sat in the recliner, and I watched television nonstop,” said Mandisa. “The only time I left was when I got tired of pizza delivery and decided to get McDonald’s.”
“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,” she said. “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,” she said.
On a rare occasion when she left her house, some friends left thoughtful notes for her all over her car.
The artist said, “They insisted that I get counseling, and that is what helped me finally start dealing with my grief. If that hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t be here today.”
On the 19th, the Franklin Police Department announced they have an active death investigation underway. The department didn’t confirm if it is Mandisa’s case.
However, “the address of the home where the investigation is taking place has been tied to the singer via a records search,” The Tennessean reported.
