Celebrating a life of praise! Late American Idol contestant Mandisa was honored during Monday night's live show days after her tragic death.
The gospel singer was found dead in her home earlier this month. She was 47.
"Mandisa's joyful spirit carried over into her GRAMMY-winning gospel music and dedication to her faith," host Ryan Seacrest shared before introducing other Idol alums singing a tribute to Mandisa.
Melinda Doolittle, Colton Dixon, and Danny Gokey all performed a cover of "Shackles (Praise You)" by Mary Mary -- a favorite song of Mandisa's that she previously performed on Idol.
"Instead of going out with all sadness, there's something we're celebrating here -- and to celebrate a life well lived," Gokey told ET's Denny Directo after the show.
Mandisa's publicist, Velvet Kelm, previously confirmed to ET that she had died on April 18, stating, "At this time, we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close-knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time."
Mandisa auditioned for season 5 of American Idol in Chicago in 2005, landing a spot on the show with her cover of Alicia Keys' hit song, "Fallin'," and ultimately finished in ninth place behind winner and runner-up Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee.
Mandisa Hundley
Following her elimination from the singing competition, Mandisa went on to release six studio albums in the Christian Contemporary genre, earning five total GRAMMY nominations and one win. Her 2013 release, Overcomer, won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album over a category of all male artists, including Christian music powerhouse Chris Tomlin.
Mandisa took several years out of the public eye following her GRAMMY win, returning in 2017 with a memoir titled Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy, as well as a new album, Out of the Dark. The singer opened up in her work and subsequent interviews about her struggle with depression and mental health.
American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
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