How did American Idol star and Grammy-winner Mandisa die?

Grammy-winning Christian singer Mandisa Hundley has died in her home in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday at 47 years old. 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.”

The cause of Mandisa’s death is not yet known. We will update this story with more details as they become known.

Who was Mandisa?

Mandisa was born and grew up in California and started to gain national attention when she performed on season 5 of American Idol. Judge Simon Cowell criticized the singer’s weight, and her kind response got her even more positive attention.

“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.”

Cowell said he was humbled by her remarks. Mandisa made it to the live shows but was eliminated after the top nine stage. She still went on to be extremely successful, releasing her first single “Only the World” in May of 2007. Just a few months later, she released her first album, “True Beauty”, and became the first new female artist to debut at number one in the Top Christian Album charts. She released five more records and won a Grammy in 2014 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her record “Overcomer”.

K-Love wrote, “Even more than her music, the Platinum-selling singer will forever be known for her huge heart and sincerity.”