Born and raised in California, Mandisa Lynn Hundley gained fame when she hit back at notoriously critical “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell with kindness while appearing on Season 5 of the singing competition series in 2006.
K-Love Radio reported Mandisa, whose full name was Mandisa Hundley, died at her Nashville home on April 18 at age 47. A cause of death has not been released.
Mandisa made it to the show’s Top 10 and went on to release her debut album, “True Beauty,” in 2007. She then became a Christian radio staple upon releasing energetic and affirming tunes such as “Stronger,” “Good Morning” and “My Deliverer.”
She candidly detailed in her 2022 memoir, “Out of the Dark,” the trauma she endured as a teenager when she was raped as well as her mental health struggles.