American Idol alums Colton Dixon, Melinda Doolittle and Danny Gokey performed “Shackles” by Mary Mary as a tribute to their friend Mandisa.
during the telecast on Monday, April 29.
Mandisa was a contestant on Season 5 of the show. She finished in The Top 10 and w at the time stated that the song meant a lot to her “because it’s a testimony that there’s nothing too hard for God.”
At the end of the performance, Host Ryan Seacresrt talked with the trio. They each shared some words about Mandisa.
“I’ve known her for over twenty years,” Doolittle said. “We started off singing background in sessions together. And then she got on Idol, and I cheered for her, and I came the next season, and she cheered for me. That is my girl through and through.”
Gokey said that Mandisa “was a fan of people, “She was a cheerleader for other people’s music.”
Dixon said that “Shackles” summed up Mandisa’s life, saying, “I think she came in praising, I think she left praising. We’re going to miss her, but our loss is heaven’s gain.”
Ahead of the tribute, American Idol released a statement following the news of Mandisa’s death.
“Mandisa was an adored icon on American Idol and in the music industry,” the show said in a statement. “She had become a platinum-selling artist and had won several Grammys for her music. Her passing has left everyone on the show heartbroken, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family.”
Mandisa went on to have a successful career in the Christian music field after “American Idol”. She won a Grammy in 2014 for Best Contemporary Christian music for “Overcomer”.
Click below to watch the tribute for Mandisa.
American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays on ABC
