Current:Home > ScamsAmerican Idol Alum Mandisa Dead at 47 -TradeCircle
American Idol Alum Mandisa Dead at 47
View
Date:2025-04-27 22:09:56
The Christian music community is mourning an important loss.
Mandisa Lynn Hundley—known professionally as Mandisa and a former contestant on season five American Idol—died on April 18. She was 47.
"We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased," her rep shared in a statement to E! News April 19. "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."
A statement shared to her Instagram account added of the artist, "Mandisa was a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life's challenges all around the world."
Her father also spoke out, telling TMZ Mandisa did not suffer from health issues prior to her passing and that her death was unexpected and a shock to the family.
Mandisa—who studied music in college—finished in ninth place during her time on American Idol in 2006. During that fifth season, she competed against strong contenders such as Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry and eventual winner Taylor Hicks.
Following her time on the series, Mandisa released her first studio album, True Beauty, in 2007, which debuted at number one on the Top Christian Albums charts. At the time, Mandisa became the first new female artist to debut at number one in the chart's 27-year history.
Throughout her career, Mandisa would release five more albums, including an acclaimed 2008 holiday album titled It's Christmas. Her most recent album, Out of the Dark, was released in 2017.
Four of her six albums earned Mandisa Grammy nominations\ in either the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category or Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. It was for her 2013 album Overcomer that the California native ultimately walked away with her first Grammy, winning the latter category.
Throughout her career, Mandisa was candid about her struggles with depression and anxiety following the death of a friend from cancer—struggles she put to paper in the 2022 memoir Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God's Joy.
In the book, Mandisa described how she turned to food in her struggles, gaining weight and then isolating herself out of shame. At one point, she even considered taking her own life, according to People. She ultimately credited an intervention from her friends and loved ones for helping her.
"During my life I've been drawn into friendships with all types of people—some very different from me," she wrote, according to People. "My tribe has included men, women, single people, married people with kids, millennials, more 'seasoned' folks, and every age in between. You learn so much and become a richer person by surrounding yourself with people who are different from you."
She continued, "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."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (747)
Related
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Trump receives endorsement from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at border as both Republicans outline hardline immigration agenda
- Syracuse fires football coach Dino Babers after eight seasons
- Test flight for SpaceX's massive Starship rocket reaches space, explodes again
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Rookie Ludvig Aberg makes history with win at RSM Classic, last PGA Tour event of season
- More military families are using food banks, pantries to make ends meet. Here's a look at why.
- Amid the Israel-Hamas war, religious leaders in the U.S. reflect on the power of unity
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- The U.S. has a controversial plan to store carbon dioxide under the nation's forests
Ranking
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Kesha changes Sean 'Diddy' Combs reference in 'Tik Tok' lyric after Cassie's abuse lawsuit
- 3 major ways climate change affects life in the U.S.
- Syracuse fires football coach Dino Babers after eight seasons
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Trump receives endorsement from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at border as both Republicans outline hardline immigration agenda
- Blocked from a horizontal route, rescuers will dig vertically to reach 41 trapped in India tunnel
- College football Week 12 winners and losers: Georgia dominates, USC ends with flop
Recommendation
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
AP Top 25: Ohio State jumps Michigan, moves to No. 2. Washington, FSU flip-flop at Nos. 4-5
Fantasy football winners, losers: Rookie Zach Charbonnet inherits Seattle spotlight
Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp carted off field in ambulance after making tackle
Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
Donna Kelce Proves Jason and Travis Kelce's Bond Extends Far Beyond Football
Mother of teen killed during a traffic stop in France leads a protest against officer’s release
Suzanne Shepherd, 'Sopranos' and 'Goodfellas' actress, dies at 89