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Award winning Christian Contemporary singer and “American Idol” top ten contestant Mandisa Hundley, who went by her first name Mandisa died last week at her home in Tennessee. Authorities haven’t come to a conclusion of why Mandisa died but there aren’t any signs of foul play. She was forty seven years old.

I watched Mandisa’s “American Idol” audition in real time. It was one of the most memorable auditions from the series. Simon made a nasty remark about Mandisa’s weight and Mandisa confronted Simon with grace and a soft, quiet but strong spirit. Mandisa forgave Simon for his snarky remark.

Mandisa got to ninth place on “AI” before getting eliminated from Season 5. Mandisa competed against Kellie Pickler and Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks was the winner. I didn’t know Mandisa was a part of the Fisk University Jubilee Choir until the news of her death. The Fisk Jubilee ensemble was established in 1871. The singing group is known world wide and is significant to Black American history. Mandisa was nominated for several Grammys and Dove awards. She won a Grammy in 2014 for Best Contemporary Christian album.

I was shocked and saddened to hear about Mandisa’s death. I must be getting more sensitive as I get older because I had to hold back tears while reading about Mandisa’s passing while I was at work. I found news on social media about Mandisa. She had struggles with weight, depression and the death of a close friend. She suffered sexual abuse as a child.

We still don’t know exactly why Mandisa died but it is implied and speculated that she killed herself. I spent a lot of time wondering what she must have been going through in her life if she in fact took her own life. I have some of my own theories but it wouldn’t be respectful or responsible to share my thoughts on the matter. As I said, her death is still a mystery.

RIP to Mandisa Hundley. She made her mark in the world of Christian music and was one of the most memorable contestants on “American Idol” history.

https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/04/tenn-officials-give-update-on-the-death-of-american-idol-favorite-mandisa.html