American Idol and Grammy award-winning singer found dead at her home at 47
American Idol and Grammy award-winning singer Mandisa has died age 47. The star was found deceased at her home in Nashville on 18 April, with the details surrounding her death yet to be determined, according to The People.
The singer, whose full name was Mandisa Lynn Hundley, was a standout contestant on the fifth season of American Idol and went on to find huge access in the Christian music scenes. She is being remembered for her "huge heart" and incredible talent.
A tribute from Christian radio station K-Love said: "Even more than her music, the Platinum-selling singer will forever be known for her huge heart and sincerity. Her kindness was epic, her smile electric, her voice massive, but it was no match for the size of her heart."
Fans have shared tributes to Mandisa on social media following the sad news. One person said: "Sad to hear that Christian artist/singer Mandisa passed away last night. Peace to her friends and family."
Another fan paid tribute, saying: "So very sorry to read this news. I loved Mandisa's music. Blessed to see her in concert. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. Sending love to her family and friends."
A third wrote: "I am in tears. I have followed Mandisa since her Idol years. For years, my girls and I listened to her song "Good Morning" before school. A couple of years ago she joined the @LadiesofTT chat and, man, she knew her football and loved her @Titans. She will be so missed."
Before getting her big break, Mandisa studied vocal jazz at American River College in Sacramento. She then auditioned for American Idol in 2005, stating that her musical influences ranged from Whitney Houston to Def Leppard. She made it to the top nine on the show.
Following this, Mandisa then released her debut album, True Beauty, in 2007. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums charts. She went on to release five more albums; It's Christmas, Freedom, What If We Were Real, Overcomer and Out of the Dark. A compiliation of her best songs, Overcomer: Greatest Hits, was then released in February 2020.
Mandisa won the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Overcomer at the 56th Grammy Awards. The title song from the album also won Best Contemporary Christian Music Song for songwriters David Garcia, Ben Glover and Christopher Stevens.
