Grammy-winning Christian singer Mandisa dies at 47

Published: 19 April 2024 at 14:08

Music

Mandisa Lynn Hundley, known as Mandisa, passed away at 47 in Nashville with the cause of death unknown. She rose to fame on American Idol's fifth season, later excelling in Christian music. Mandisa's openness about her battles with depression touched many. Her Platinum-selling album 'Overcomer' won a Grammy in 2013, solidifying her as a top Christian music artist. Hailed for her kindness and sincerity, Mandisa's impactful career transcends her music, marking her as a beacon of faith and vulnerability.

DEEP DIVE

Mandisa (Wikipedia)

Mandisa Lynn Hundley ( (1976-10-02) (2024-04-18)October 2, 1976 – April 18, 2024) known professionally as Mandisa, was an American gospel and contemporary Christian recording artist. Her career began as a contestant in the fifth season of American Idol, in which she finished in ninth place. She is the fifth American Idol alumna to have won a Grammy Award, for her album Overcomer in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album category.

Mandisa discography (Wikipedia)

This is a discography of Mandisa, an African-American gospel and contemporary Christian artist. In her career she has released six studio albums, including one Christmas album. Her first album True Beauty debuted at number one on the Top Christian Albums chart, and at number 47 on the Billboard Top 200. She also released a Christmas EP entitled Christmas Joy on November 20, 2007. In 2008, she released her second studio album, a full length Christmas album, entitled It's Christmas, debuting at number 37 on the Top Christian Albums chart, and at number 44 on the Top Holiday Albums. In 2009, she released her third full-length studio album entitled Freedom. In 2011 she released her fourth studio album, What If We Were Real, followed in 2013 by Overcomer, her most successful album to date, reaching number 29 on the Billboard 200 album chart. In 2017, Out of the Dark was released, becoming her third album to top the Top Christian Albums chart.

Mandisa Thomas (Wikipedia)

Mandisa Lateefah Thomas is the founder and president of Black Nonbelievers Inc. She has spoken at secular conferences and events, and has promoted the group's agenda in media outlets.

List of American Idol finalists (Wikipedia)

American Idol is an American talent reality television series that first aired in 2002. As of May 2023, there have been twenty-one seasons. Each season, the final round of competition features ten to thirteen singers. A total of 178 contestants have reached the finals of their season. The show's age requirements have varied year-to-year. Of the finalists, 55 of them were under the age of 20, including three winners and five runners-up. First season-winner Kelly Clarkson currently holds the record for the highest-selling album sales worldwide, with more than 25 million copies, while fourth season-winner Carrie Underwood currently holds the record for the highest-selling album sales in the United States, with more than 13 million copies.In first season, Jim Verraros, an openly gay contestant, was told by Fox to remove all mentions of his homosexuality from his online journal as producers "thought [he] was trying to gain more votes". During the second season, finalist Corey Clark was disqualified when it was revealed that he had been arrested and charged with resisting arrest, battery upon his sister, and criminal restraint. In fifth season, voters claimed that phone calls dialed for Chris Daughtry during the first few minutes of voting were misrouted to Katharine McPhee's lines, when they heard her recorded message thanking them for voting for McPhee. In seventh season, it was revealed that Carly Smithson held a prior label record deal with MCA Records. Reports suggested that MCA spent over $2 million promoting Smithson's previous album which she made under the name Carly Hennessy. The album sold fewer than 400 copies. Smithson remained on the show, and placed sixth in her season. Jermaine Jones of eleventh season was disqualified for having theft cases and outstanding warrants prior to performing on Top 12 week. (Unlike with the Clark disqualification, an elimination was still held from the remaining eleven finalists that performed, rendering a Top 10.)As of 2024, six finalists have died: Michael Johns (d. 2014), Rickey Smith (d. 2016), Leah LaBelle (d. 2018), Nikki McKibbin (d. 2020), Willie Spence (d. 2022), and C. J. Harris (d. 2023). In addition, two semifinalists have also died: season 7's Joanne Borgella (d. 2014) and season 3's Marque Lynche (d. 2015; brother of Michael Lynche).

American Idol contestant slammed for 'disgusting' attitude towards judge Luke Bryan

Madai ChaKell, a contestant from Springfield, Massachusetts, on American Idol's Season 22, had a tense exchange with judge Luke Bryan during her performance of 'Tattooed Heart' by Ariana Grande, demanding to sing acapella and calling out the pianist. After being critiqued by the judges, including Luke Bryan, for having a shaky voice, she made snarky comments backstage and received backlash from viewers on social media. Ultimately, she was eliminated from the competition.

Mandisa Williams (Wikipedia)

Mandisa Williams (born 8 November 1984) is a retired women's rugby union player from Jongilanga, Eastern Cape, South Africa. She played for Imonti Penguins, Border Bulldogs and the South Africa women's national rugby union team as a Number 8.

Anita Baker (Wikipedia)

Anita Denise Baker (born January 26, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter. She is known for her soulful ballads, particularly from the height of the quiet storm period in the 1980s.Starting her career in the late 1970s with the funk band Chapter 8, Baker released her first solo album, The Songstress, in 1983. In 1986, she rose to fame following the release of her Platinum-selling second album, Rapture, which included the Grammy-winning single "Sweet Love". As of 2017, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards and has four Platinum albums, along with two Gold albums. Baker is a contralto with a wide range of octaves.