Mandisa is the Christian singer who died at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 18 at the age of 47. The gospel singer began her career as a contestant on American Idol, competing in the show’s fifth season and finishing in ninth place. So, about two weeks after her sudden, unexpected passing, the show honored her with a special tribute.
As background, nnouncing her death in a statement released after her passing, K-LOVE’s Chief Media Officer, David Pierce, 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.” He continued, “Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles.”
Similarly, Mandisa’s X account posted about the sad news as well, saying, “We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased. 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.”
Further, her father, commenting on how she appears to have died, said, “But here’s what I think happened. Mandisa fell down in her bedroom. They found her on the floor. If you look from the rear of her bed, she was laying on the left side. It’s clear that’s where she was laying, there was a couple of big rugs there and some clothes. On the right side of the bed, front was this nightstand. I found her phone on the right side of the bed. There was no way for Mandisa to get around the bed, go out there and get a phone to call for help.”
In any case, for the tribute, “American Idol” stars Danny Gokey, Melinda Doolittle, and Colton Dixon performed the song “Shackles (Praise You)” by duo Mary Mary. That song was chosen because it is the first one she performed when trying out on stage in 2006. “This is how you celebrate Mandisa,” host Ryan Seacrest said after they finished singing.
Joining in, Melinda Doolittle said, “I’ve known [Mandisa] for over 20 years.” Doolittle added, “We started off playing background and sessions together, and she got on ‘Idol,’ and I cheered for her. I came the next season, and she cheered for me.”
Gokey, who like Mandisa was a Gospel singer, commented on her as well, saying, “She had the biggest voice for me, and she was making a way for me and my biggest cheerleader. It just felt amazing. And she always was that person,”
Further, the show released a statement saying, “Mandisa was an adored icon on American Idol and in the music industry. She had become a platinum-selling artist and had won several Grammys for her music. Her passing has left everyone on the show heartbroken, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family.”
Featured image credit: By Jyle Dupuis from Canada – Mandisa, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6830114