Christian Artist Mandisa Dead at 47: ‘Mandisa Loved Jesus’
By Movieguide® Staff
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.”
The California native first found fame during Season 5 of AMERICAN IDOL, where she earned a spot in the Top 10.
She released her first 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,” PEOPLE reported.
K-LOVE added that she “released five full-length projects and one Christmas LP over the course of her nearly two-decade tenure. 2013’s career-defining album, ‘Overcomer,’ earned the powerhouse vocalist numerous accolades, as well as an array of critical praise and high-profile media coverage, including multiple appearances on GOOD MORNING AMERICA.”
Her music, including “Stronger,” “Good Morning” and “My Deliverer,” became staples of Christian radio.
She collaborated with many other big-name Christian artists, including TobyMac, Matthew West, Michael W. Smith and Jordan Feliz.
In her 2022 memoir “Out of the Dark,” she detailed her mental health struggles after a friend’s death.
“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.’”
Collaborator and fellow Christian musician TobyMac endorsed her book, calling her “nothing but original and courageous.”
“In a single word, I would say without hesitation that she is one of the most authentic people I have ever met,” he added. “Her heart is to help others, and in this book, she vulnerably shares her own real life experiences and struggles in an attempt to provide insight and love others well.”
After her friends staged an intervention, she “could see a small flicker. Light was beginning to break through.”
“As I’ve walked through hard things in my life, I’ve sometimes been surprised by the people God has used to comfort and help me. At times I get to be there for them too. That’s what it’s all about,” she said
“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,” said David Pierce, K-LOVE Chief Media Officer, after her death.
“Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles. 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,” he added.
Continue to keep Mandisa’s family in your prayers.
Movieguide® previously spoke with the singer:
Movieguide® reported:
AMERICAN IDOL alum and Christian music artist Mandisa recently shared how her faith in Jesus helped her overcome depression in a new book called “Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy.”
“I released an album, several years ago, also called Out of the Dark,” and I talked about the depression that I faced a few years ago,” she shared with Movieguide®’s Cheryl Crisp. “I came to understand this is an issue that is really affecting a lot of people, a lot of Christians who maybe have the mindset that we’re supposed to have it all together, that is absolutely not the case.”
“My mindset in writing is, I was always thinking about the person who was also struggling with depression, and maybe did not have a way to talk about it,” she added. “I really wanted to give people a freedom and maybe a tool to introduce these uncomfortable conversations about our mental health.”
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