This past week, the Christian music community mourned the loss of Mandisa, who passed away unexpectedly on April 18 at the age of 47. “American Idol” — the show that introduced the world to her unwavering faith, charismatic personality and heavenly voice — will honor the singer Monday (Apr. 29) on ABC at 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. EST. While “Idol” became a very public training ground for the award-winning vocalist, Mandisa went on to become one of Christian music’s biggest champions. The always joyful singer first considered herself a fan before she ever regarded herself as the superstar she was. While there are so many milestones that marked her nearly two-decade career, here are seven Mandisa moments we’ll never forget.
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When she forgave Simon Cowell on “American Idol”
No one will ever forget the way America first met Mandisa. The powerhouse singer not only stunned television audiences with her incredible voice, but she also left them astounded as she famously sparred with “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell. After Cowell made multiple pointed remarks about her weight, Mandisa rebounded in the kindest way possible, publicly admitting that she forgave Cowell, which left the brash judge humbled and nearly speechless. She went on to place ninth in the fifth season of the popular vocal competition.
When she hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards with Matthew West
In 2018, Mandisa co-hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards for the first time with returning host Matthew West. It was the first year the annual awards ceremony was shown on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). Together, the pair — who also collaborated on the West-penned original “Christmas Makes Me Cry” — regaled audience members and television viewers with their parody songs, humorous anecdotes and obvious camaraderie throughout the night. “Matty is one of my favorite people ever! I can’t tell you how many memorable moments I’ve had with him; mainly laughing, but we’ve shared a few tear-jerker moments songwriting, too,” Mandisa said of West in advance of taking the Fan Awards stage with the singer/songwriter. “Knowing he’ll be by my side brings me a level of comfort I wouldn’t have with anyone else.” The duo reprised their co-hosting duties in 2019.
When she toured with all of her favorite Christian artists
There was no bigger fan of Christian music than Mandisa. In an interview with K-LOVE in preparation for the 2018 K-LOVE Fan Awards, she shared, “I love that Christian music doesn’t just sound good but brings me closer to the heart of God.” As so many artists have expressed via social media in the wake of her passing, Mandisa was a faithful advocate for the genre and a tireless cheerleader for her peers. Through the years, she toured with many of her favorite Christian artists, including TobyMac, Newsboys, Blanca, Danny Gokey, Riley Clemmons and Brandon Heath, with whom she co-headlined a memorable run of “Brandisa” dates. When she wasn’t performing, the songstress could always be found side-stage watching the sets of her tourmates every night.
When she performed “Overcomer” on “Good Morning America”
Mandisa’s performance of “Overcomer” on “Good Morning America” marked her third appearance on the top-rated morning show. The song held the No. 1 spot at Christian radio at the time of her performance back in 2013 just days following the release of her GRAMMY®-winning album by the same name. Furthermore, the inspiring music video for the hopeful anthem premiered exclusively on the “Good Morning America” website as “Overcomer” was widely used on bumpers for the show and became a personal anthem of endurance for one of the program’s news anchors, who was battling cancer. Throughout her career, the two-time GMA Dove Award winner became a favorite guest of the celebrated morning newscast, showcasing her story and her hits, including “Stronger,” “Good Morning (feat. TobyMac)” and more, live from their studio in New York City.
When she was named Female Artist of the Year at the K-LOVE Fan Awards
In 2014, Mandisa became a K-LOVE Fan Award winner, earning Female Artist of the Year honors at the 2nd annual fan-voted event. Author Ann Voskamp and worship artist Kari Jobe presented the “My Deliverer” singer with the accolade. That same year, she also walked away with a trophy for Song of the Year for her signature track, “Overcomer.” “What I love about our industry is that we’re so for each other, and I love that this night is so not about us. It is not about these awards,” Mandisa remarked during her acceptance speech. “As much as we appreciate them, I know that all of us are wanting to just lay them down at the feet of our Jesus in unity.”
When she got her pandemic puppy
Mandisa would tell you she wasn’t a pet person, but when she dropped off a birthday gift to a friend whose parents’ dog had just given birth to a litter of puppies, she changed her tune. The California native had never owned a pet before she decided to become a dog owner in 2020. Overnight, she seemingly transformed into a full-on Dog Mom when she welcomed Kiya, her weeks-old Havanese, into her home. From then on, Kiya became the star of her Instagram page. Mandisa constantly solicited advice from fans on how to best care for her new pet and regularly posted updates as friends and family met her furry friend. #KiyaTheHavi even got her own hashtag. Her pandemic pup also made regular appearances during her online devotional series, “Mornings with Mandisa.” Kiya, who once visited the K-LOVE Studios, also went on the road with the “American Idol” alum, becoming Mandisa’s constant companion on tour and one of her favorite topics of conversation during meet & greets and interviews.
When she wrote her book, “Out of the Dark”
In 2022, Mandisa released “Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy.” Borrowing the title of her fifth studio album, the memoir chronicled her battle with depression. Just like she always did in real life, Mandisa candidly pointed people to Jesus with the stories she unveiled in “Out of the Dark” — even if her honest confessions revealed her own issues and insecurities. She only hoped her transparency might serve to comfort others and reassure them they weren’t alone. “The upside of this struggle,” she wrote in the book regarding her bouts with mental health, “is that through it, I understand that God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in my weakness.”
