CNN
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The late gospel artist Mandisa was honored by the present that helped launch her profession.
“American Idol” on Monday paid tribute to the singer, who died earlier this month in Nashville. Mandisa was 47.
“We ask to your prayers for her household and shut knit circle of pals throughout this extremely tough time,” a post on her verified social media acknowledged on April 19. “Mandisa was a voice of encouragement and fact to individuals going through life’s challenges all world wide.”
A reason behind dying has not been shared.
Mandisa auditioned for “American Idol” in 2005. She was a specific as a contestant for the fifth season of the singing competitors present, which aired in 2006.
“American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest launched Monday’s tribute by saying, “Mandisa’s joyful spirit carried over into her Grammy-winning gospel music and dedication to her religion.”
Former contestants Melinda Doolittle, Colton Dixon, and Danny Gokey then carried out a canopy of “Shackles (Reward You)” by Grammy-winning artists Mary Mary, who had been a favourite of Mandisa.
After the efficiency, Seacrest requested Doolittle about her “profound connection” to the late singer.
“I imply, I’ve identified her for over 20 years,” Doolittle stated. “We began off singing background in periods collectively after which she obtained on ‘Idol’ and I cheered for her. Then I got here the subsequent season and she or he cheered for me. So that’s my woman, via and thru.”
Gokey stated Mandisa was “a fan of individuals.”
“She was a cheerleader for different individuals’s music,” he stated. “I bear in mind once I obtained dropped from a report label, was resigned to a different and was transitioning she had the most important voice for me.”
Dixon stated he believed that “Shackles (Reward You),” which Mandisa had carried out on “Idol” earlier than “summed up her life.”