‘American Idol’ alum and Grammy winner Mandisa dead at 47
“American Idol” alum Mandisa has died. She was 47.
Christian rock radio station K-Love announced her passing on Friday. Mandisa’s cause of death is still unknown.
The California native, whose full name was Mandisa Hundley, died at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, 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.