‘American Idol’ Star Mandisa Dead At 47
It has been confirmed that Grammy Award-winning singer Mandisa is dead at the age of 47. A representative for the American Idol star shared details about her untimely passing, asking for prayers for Mandisa’s family and friends. Continue reading to learn details about Mandisa’s life.
A Career Beyond American Idol
Mandisa was born in Citrus Heights, California. After high school, she studied music before eventually auditioning for American Idol in 2005.
She made it to the Top 10 during the competition show’s fifth season. Mandisa competed alongside some of Idol‘s biggest stars, including Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Paris Bennett, and the Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks. She was eventually eliminated in the Top 9.
Despite being eliminated, Mandisa remained a fan favorite on Idol. She was able to wow the OG judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell with stunning performances of “I’m Every Woman” and “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing.”
After her time on American Idol, Mandisa went on to have a successful music career. The singer released her debut album “True Beauty” in 2007. It debuted at the number one spot on the Top Christian Albums charts. This made her the first new female artist to debut at the top of the chart. She went on to release five more albums in her career.
Four of Mandisa’s albums earned her Grammy nominations for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. In 2014, she won Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance for the tune “Overcomer.”
Mandisa Struggled With Her Mental Health Before She Died
Then, in 2022, Mandisa released a memoir. Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy gave a glimpse into the American Idol star‘s life. She opened up about her struggles with depression and anxiety after she lost a close friend to cancer. The Idol alum said she entered something she called the “deep dark.”
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At her lowest, Mandisa admitted that she considered suicide. “I was so miserable; I felt so hopeless. 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.
The singer continued, “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.’”
Eventually, her friends and family held an intervention to push her to get help for her mental health. She said that it saved her. However, now her close friends and family are asking for prayers after the singer’s untimely death.
“We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased,” a rep for the American Idol alum 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.”
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