FORMER American Idol contestant Mandisa has died.
The Grammy award-winning Christian artist, 47, appeared on Season 5 of the reality singing competition.
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The California native died at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday, her rep confirmed to The U.S. Sun on Friday.
“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,” the Media Collective said.
After finishing in the top 10 of Idol, Mandisa released her debut album, True Beauty, in 2007.
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She went on to produce several studio albums and was nominated for five Grammy Awards.
Her 2013 album, Overcomer, won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2014.
“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,” David Pierce, K-LOVE chief media officer of Christian radio network K-Love, said in a statement announcing her death on X.
“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.”
Mandisa has openly shared her struggles with her weight and thoughts of suicide.
Idol host, Simon Cowell, brought up Mandisa’s weight during her Season 5 appearance.
“Do we have a bigger stage this year,” the notably snarky host asked the Grammy-winning singer on the show.
The American Idol alum later told Cowell she forgave him – despite publicly admitting that his comments hurt deeply.
In 2011, the singer lost 120 pounds. However, she gained it back plus an additional 75 pounds two years later when she lost her best friend to breast cancer.
At the time, she told People she was struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.
I am a woman of faith, and I believe that heaven is real, and when I do leave here, I’m going to be in heaven with Jesus.
Mandisa
“When she passed away, it shook the foundations underneath me,” Mandisa said.
“I sank into a deep pit of depression.”
The singer began using food to help her cope and became reclusive.
“I was so miserable; I felt so hopeless,” the singer told the magazine.
“I am a woman of faith, and I believe that heaven is real, and when I do leave here, I’m going to be in heaven with Jesus.
“One of the things I started hearing during that dark period was: ‘You’re in so much pain. If you take your life, you could be in heaven right now with Jesus.'”
The Idol contestant sought treatment at the time and began losing weight again.
She released her latest album, Out of the Dark, in 2017 in hopes that she would help others going through a similar experience.
“When you are walking through this, you think that you’re the only one,” she told the magazine.
“But you are never the only person walking through something like that.”
“I’m still here,” the Platinum-selling singer added.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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