American Idol honored their late Season 5 contestant, Mandisa, with an emotional performance.
Mandisa passed away earlier this month at the young age of 47. She was found dead in her Nashville home, with the cause of death unknown. However. her father cleared up any suspicions of self-harm.
Other American Idol alums Colton Dixon, Melinda Doolittle, and Danny Gokey paid tribute to Mandisa with their performance of “Shackles” by Mary Mary — a song Mandisa sang as a contestant in 2006.
As a gospel and contemporary Christian artist, the song served as “a testimony that there’s nothing too hard for God,” she once said.
After the performance, the three former contestants embraced each other. They then shared beautiful words about Mandisa.
“I’ve known her for over twenty years,” Doolittle said. “We started off singing background in sessions together. And then she got on Idol, and I cheered for her, and I came the next season, and she cheered for me. That is my girl through and through.”
“I think one of the things that sticks out to me is that she was a fan of people, Gokey added. “She was a cheerleader for other people’s music.”
He then recalled the time he got dropped from one record label and was transitioning to a new one, and Mandisa “had the biggest voice for me.”
“She always was that person,” he said.
“I think she came in praising, I think she left praising,” Dixon chimed in. “We’re going to miss her, but our loss is heaven’s gain.”
‘American Idol’ Honors Late Season 5 Contestant, Mandisa
Earlier this month, American Idol released a statement regarding the loss of Mandisa.
“Mandisa was an adored icon on American Idol and in the music industry,” the show said. “She had become a platinum-selling artist and had won several Grammys for her music. Her passing has left everyone on the show heartbroken, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family.”
On the April 21st episode of American Idol, Ryan Seacrest shared his own condolences to Mandisa’s loved ones.
“We wanted to take a moment to honor a dear member of the Idol family who we sadly lost this week — Mandisa,” he said. “She was an inspiration on the show and beyond. Our hearts go out to her family and all of those, like us, who called her a friend.”
Fans also shared their support on the American Idol YouTube video.
“Our BEAUTIFUL, Sweet, & Beloved Angel Mandisa is smiling down from Heaven,” one person wrote. “You three definitely made her, & so many of Us who Love her PROUD!! Mandisa is singing in “The Angels Choir!!”