American Idol’ singer, Grammy winner Mandisa dies

Grammy-winning singer Mandisa, who began her career on “American Idol,” has died at the age of 47, her representative said Friday.  Her full name is Mandisa Lynn Hundley.

Mandisa was found dead in her Nashville home, her representative said in a statement to NBC News.

However, the representative could not confirm the cause of death or any further details.

“We humbly request your prayers during this extremely trying time for her family and close-knit group of friends,” the statement concluded.

Mandisa, who was a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges all around the world, wrote this song for a dear friend who had passed in 2017, A post on the artist’s Facebook page said early Friday.

The singer who was honoured the gospel and contemporary Christian singer by Christian radio network K-Love was shot to stardom after placing ninth on “American Idol.”

For her album “Overcomer,” she went on to win a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2014.

According to her record label artist bio, originally from Sacramento, California, Mandisa grew up singing in church and studied vocal performance at American River College, and continued her studies at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Before going on “American Idol, After college, she worked as a session and backup vocalist for artists including Shania Twain and Trisha Yearwood.

The singer fell into a deep depression in 2014. She almost took her own life following the death of her close friend Lakisha Mitchell who faced breast cancer.