Police are continuing to investigate the death of former American Idol contestant Mandisa Hundley, noting that there is no indication of foul play in her death.
Franklin Police said the 47-year-old was found dead inside a home on Beamon Drive last Thursday evening. A medical examiner confirmed her identity over the weekend.
‘At this time, there is no indication the death was the result of suspicious or criminal activity,’ police said in a statement Monday. ‘The Franklin Police Department sends its condolences to Hundley’s family, friends, and fans.’
The singer, known simply as Mandisa, rose to prominence during her 2006 American Idol run. She competed in the show’s fifth season and landed ninth place.
After the show, Mandisa went on to have a celebrated career in Christian music. She released the first of her six albums in 2007, with her album ‘Overcomer’ securing a Grammy in 2014.
American Idol alum Mandisa Hundley, 47, was found dead in her home in Franklin, Tennessee last Thursday evening
Police say there is no indication of ‘suspicious or criminal activity’ in relation to her death
The Grammy Award-winning singer, known simply as Mandisa, competed on the show’s fifth season before going on to have a celebrated career in Christian music
Originally hailing from Citrus Heights, California, Mandisa studied vocal jazz at American River College in Sacramento and music at Fisk University in Tennessee.
She auditioned for American Idol in 2005, citing her musical influences as everyone from Def Leppard to Whitney Houston.
During her first appearance on the show, judge Simon Cowell often poked fun at her weight. ‘Do we have a bigger stage this year?’ he quipped on one occasion.
When fellow host Paula Abdul remarked that Mandisa’s voice sounded ‘French,’ Cowell jumped in and said that a more appropriate comparison would be to the entire country of France.
Later in the season, Mandisa finally responded to Cowell. ‘What I want to say to you is that, yes, you hurt me and I cried and it was painful, it really was,’ she said.
‘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.’
Cowell apologized and said he was ‘humbled’ by her words.
In 2012, the singer revealed that she had lost a staggering 100 pounds in the six years since her appearance on the show.
Mandisa said she had hired a personal trainer and taken up Zumba in the wake of Cowell’s ‘hurtful and mean’ comments.
Mandisa, who came in ninth place on the show, frequently found herself the target of jokes due to her weight
She later confronted Simon Cowell, telling him she was hurt by his remarks. Cowell apologized and said he was ‘humbled’ by her words
Six years after her appearance on the show, Mandisa revealed that she had lost a staggering 100 pounds in the wake of Cowell’s ‘mean’ comments
She was remembered by fellow American Idol alum Taylor Hicks, who described her as ‘a power house person’ in a social media post
An upcoming episode of the show, set for April 29, will feature a tribute to the late singer
Her death was announced across her official social media account last week.
‘We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased. At this time we do not know the cause of death or any further details,’ read a statement posted to Instagram.
‘We ask for your prayers for her family and close knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time.’
The statement described her as ‘a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges all around the world.’
Mandisa was also honored by a number of her fellow American Idol contestants including Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks.
‘Mandisa was a power house vocalist on our season of Idol and she graduated to a wonderful career in Gospel music,’ Hicks wrote on Instagram. ‘Better yet, she was a power house person and all of us will miss her dearly.’
Jennifer Hudson, a finalist on the show’s third season, shared a message to X, formerly Twitter.
‘Broke my heart when I heard the news! She was truly a woman of faith,’ Hudson wrote. ‘A bright light that made such a powerful imprint on this world. Rest in heaven, Mandisa!’
An upcoming episode of American Idol, set for April 29, will feature a special tribute for the former contestant.
Host Ryan Seacrest made the announcement during Sunday’s show.
‘We wanted to take a moment to honor a dear member of the Idol family who we sadly lost this week – Mandisa,’ Seacrest said.
‘She was an inspiration on the show and beyond. We’re going to celebrate her next week with a very special musical tribute. Our hearts go out to her family and all of those, like us, who called her a friend.’
