We are deeply saddened to report the passing of Mandisa, the Grammy Award-winning singer who rose to fame as a contestant on season 5 of American Idol. Mandisa, known for her soulful voice and magnetic personality, passed away on April 18 at the age of 47.

Born and raised in Citrus Heights, California, Mandisa’s journey in the music industry began when she auditioned for Idol in 2005. Despite being eliminated in the top 9, she didn’t let that setback stop her. Mandisa released her debut album, “True Beauty,” in 2007, which made history by debuting at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums charts. She went on to release five more albums throughout her career, including the acclaimed “Out of the Dark” in 2017.

Mandisa’s talent earned her four Grammy nominations, and she took home the trophy in 2014 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. Throughout her career, she collaborated with notable artists such as TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, and Kirk Franklin.

However, fame also brought Mandisa challenges. In her memoir, “Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy,” she bravely shared her battle with depression and anxiety following the loss of a close friend to cancer. During this difficult period, Mandisa turned to food for comfort and experienced considerable weight gain. She even considered suicide at her lowest point.

Fortunately, a group of friends staged an intervention, which opened her eyes to the depths of her mental health struggles. With their support, she began her journey towards healing and finding joy again.

Mandisa’s story is a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and faith. She emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with diverse and supportive people who can provide comfort and help during challenging times.

Let us remember Mandisa for her extraordinary talent, her infectious personality, and her unwavering faith. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and close circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time.