MUSIC
American Idol contestants who have won a Grammy: Mandisa, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood...
The music world has been rocked with the news that the 47-year-old has been found dead at her home in Nashville.
The world of music is in mourning with the news that Grammy-winning Christian singer Mandisa Hundley has died in her home in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 47. American Christian radio network K-Love shared a statement from Chief Media Officer David Pierce confirming the news.
“Mandisa loved Jesus, and she used her unusually extensive platform to talk about Him at every turn,’ said Pierce. “Her kindness was epic, her smile electric, her voice massive, but it was no match for the size of her heart.”
A brief message on her X (Twitter) profile confirmed the sad news asking for fans’ prayers during the difficult time.
Who was Mandisa?
Mandisa Lynn Hundley grew up in California and become a national star following her performance on season 5 of American Idol with English judge Simon Cowell criticizing the singer’s weight with her unflinching response endearing her to millions.
“You hurt me and I cried, and it was painful. It really was,” Mandisa said to Cowell. “But I want you to know I’ve forgiven you, and that you don’t need someone to apologize in order to forgive somebody.”
She released six studio albums in total and won a Grammy in 2014 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her album “Overcomer”.
Other American Idol Grammy winners
American Idol Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson and Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard were the first “Idol” winners to be nominated for a Grammy Award with both receiving nominations in 2004 however it was Clarkson who became the first idol winner to win the award two years later picking up a Grammy double with: Best Pop Vocal Album for Breakaway, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her smash “Since U Been Gone.”
Clarkson was back on the winning trail in 2013, when she scooped the Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy for 2011′s Stronger with the win marking a trio of awards for Texas native.
Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood has won eight Grammys and has received a total of 16 nominations, making her the “Idol” contestant with the most GRAMMY wins and nominations. Her most recent win came in 2022, when she won Best Roots Gospel Album for her 2021 release, My Savior.
Failed to make the cut
Despite failing to go all the way on American Idol finals, two contestants did bag Grammy Awards with Jennifer Hudson and Tori Kelly both winners with Hudson finishing seventh on Season 3 and Kelly was cut before the top 24 on Season 9.