Following the shocking April 18 death of 47-year-old Mandisa Hundley, a top 10 contestant from American Idol Season 5 who went on to become a Grammy-winning Christian music artist, the show paid tribute Monday, with three members of her extended "Idol family" joining forces to literally sing her praises.
"Mandisa's joyful spirit carried over into her Grammy-winning gospel music and her dedication to her faith," American Idol host Ryan Seacrest solemnly announced in the second hour of Monday's top eight episode. "Tonight, three of her close friends and collaborators are here to honor her with 'Shackles,' which Mandisa first performed on our stage back in 2006."
In a testament to just how tight the connection is within the Idol family, the alumni who paid tribute to Mandisa with Mary Mary's "Shackles (Praise You)" all represented different American Idol seasons: Season 6's Melinda Doolittle, Season 8's Danny Gokey, and Season 11's Colton Dixon. But their love of Mandisa and God brought them together for a moving performance.
Doolittle revealed that her bond with Mandisa was forged long before they both became overnight Idol sensations. "I've known her for over 20 years. We started singing background in sessions together," she told Seacrest. "Then she got on Idol and I cheered for her, and then I came the next season and she cheered for me. So, that's my girl through and through."
Gokey, who like Dixon embarked on a Christian music career after Idol, expressed a similar sentiment when he reminisced about his friendship with Mandisa. "I think one of the things that sticks out to me is she was a fan of people. She was cheerleader for other people's music," he said. "I remember when I got dropped from a record label and signed to a new one and was transitioning, she had the biggest voice for me and was making a wave for me, my biggest cheerleader. It just felt amazing. She always was that person."
Mandisa performed "Shackles (Praise You)" during American Idol Season 5's top 10 week, choosing it because, as she explained at the time, "It's a testimony that there's nothing too hard for God." On Monday, Dixon reflected on the song's significance following her passing. "I think that song sums up her life," Dixon told Seacrest. "I think she came in praising, and I think she left praising. We're going to miss her, but our loss is Heaven's gain." (Watch Mandisa's performance from Season 5's 21st Century Hits episode below.)
Mandisa's case is still being investigated by 11 days after she was found dead her home in Franklin outside of Nashville, but police have ruled out foul play. Upon her tragic death, American Idol released a statement reading: "Mandisa was an adored icon on American Idol and in the music industry. ... Her passing has left everyone on the show heartbroken, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family."
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