American Idol Mourns the Loss of Grammy-Winning Alum: ‘We Are Saddened’
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The American Idol family has lost one of their own. On April 18, former contestant Mandisa Hundley died at her home in Nashville at the age of 47. Who was Mandisa and what season of American Idol was she on? Keep reading for everything there is to know about the late contestant and her career.
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American Idol is a popular singing competition that follows unknown artists from across the country as they compete for a recording contract and $250,000. The winner is determined by American viewers who can vote for their favorite artists. Created by Simon Fuller, the series originally ran for 15 seasons on FOX before it was canceled in 2016 and revived a few years later by ABC. Some of the biggest names in the music industry have come out of the show, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia Barrino and more.
Plenty of contestants who did not win their respective seasons went on to find post-show success as well. That was the case for Christian singer Mandisa, who the American Idol community is now mourning. Scroll on to learn more about Mandisa’s journey on the show and her career afterwards.
Who was Mandisa from American Idol?
Who was Mandisa from American Idol? Mandisa Huntley, who went by her first name only, was a contestant on Season 5 of American Idol. She was born and raised Citrus Heights, California, and studied vocal performance at Fisk University in Tennessee. The singer earned a spot on American Idol with her powerful rendition of Alicia Keys’ “Fallin.” She ended up finishing in ninth place behind winner Taylor Hicks and runner-up Katharine McPhee.
Despite not placing in the Top 5, Mandisa went on to find plenty of success as a Christian artist. Shortly after her elimination, she released her debut album True Beauty. The album reached No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums charts, making it the first time a new female artist had hit No. 1. She released four other studio albums, including the critically acclaimed Overcomer, which earned her Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Overcomer at the 56th Grammy Awards. With the win, Mandisa became the fifth American Idol alum to have won a Grammy Award.
The songstress was sadly found dead in her Nashville home on April 18 at age 47. Her death was announced by popular Christian radio network K-Love. “Mandisa loved Jesus, and she used her unusually extensive platform to talk about Him at every turn,” K-Love Chief Media Officer David Pierce said. “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 … Mandisa’s struggles are over. She is with the God she sang about now. While we are saddened, Mandisa is home. We’re praying for Mandisa’s family and friends and ask you to join us.”
Mandisa was open about her struggles with food addiction, anxiety and depression. She discussed them at length in her 2022 memoir Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy. Her cause of death was not disclosed to the public.
In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, Mandisa’s publicist said: “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.”
For more on American Idol, check out this gallery on the judges’ real-life partners.
