Mandisa

Propelled into the national spotlight after placing ninth on “American Idol” in 2006, Mandisa’s powerhouse vocals reinforce God's love and strength in her song "Stronger." The song is a reminder that sometimes God's light shines brightest through the most difficult times.

"In the end, whatever difficult thing you go through, makes you stronger," Mandisa explained on the Scott and Kelli show. "We often find that we want things to be right and perfect and comfortable in our lives, but I find that it’s often the difficult times that make you stronger than the great times."

Many of her "difficult times" have come with her struggle with weight loss and self perception. This issue was illuminated in the public eye when she was on “Idol,” as Mandisa was openly criticized for her weight by the infamous judge Simon Cowell. Being the class act that she is, Mandisa gracefully put Simon in his place prior to the final semi-finalist cut when she told him: “What I want to say to you is that, yes, you hurt me, and it was painful. It really was. But I want you to know that I’ve forgiven you, and that you don’t need someone to apologize in order to forgive somebody. I figure that if Jesus could die so that all of my wrongs could be forgiven, I can certainly extend that same grace to you.” In a move uncharacteristic of the snarky Simon, he told Mandisa he was “humbled” and apologized to her immediately.

Since emerging from American Idol, her contribution to TobyMac’s popular radio single “Lose My Soul” and her 2007 debut album True Beauty have made Mandisa a favorite of Christian music audiences. The album's hope-fueled songs sang about the source of true beauty, and featured the single “Only the World.” Mandisa’s music was not only a mainstay on Christian radio, but her True Beauty album was #1 on the Christian Albums chart, making it the first time a new female artist has debuted in that spot in 27 years.

Mandisa’s second project, Freedom, was inspired by her efforts in overcoming food addiction. The album featured "My Deliverer," which described her plight and the saving grace that God provides. Her latest album What If We Were Real (April 2011) shows Mandisa's transparency and contains songs of joy, struggle, worship, and redemption including "Waiting For Tomorrow" and her latest "Good Morning." "A struggle is a struggle, and Jesus is there through it all."