“American Idol” pays tribute to Mandisa with performance from past contestants: 'Our loss is heaven's gain'

Colton Dixon, Danny Gokey, and Melinda Doolittle came together to sing Mary Mary's "Shackles (Praise You)."

American Idol is remembering late singer and former contestant Mandisa, who died on April 18 at age 47.

The acclaimed Gospel singer — who got her start on Idol in 2006 — was the subject of a touching tribute during Monday night’s show. Former contestants Colton Dixon, Danny Gokey, and Melinda Doolittle joined forces to perform Mary Mary's "Shackles (Praise You)," a song that Mandisa once sang during her tenure on the Idol stage.

The trio, dressed in all white, delivered their rousing rendition of the song, which culminated with screens showing pictures of Mandisa throughout her life. After the crowd and judging panel — made up of  Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan — applauded, the Idol alums spoke about their individual connections to the late singer.

"I’ve known her for over 20 years," Doolittle said following the performance. "We started off singing background in sessions together, and then she got on Idol and I cheered for her. Then I came the next season, and she cheered for me. So that is my girl through and through."

Gokey remembered Mandisa as being "a cheerleader for other people's music," recounting a difficult moment in his own career where she stepped up and used her voice to support him.

Asked to delve deeper into their song choice, Dixon said, "The song sums up her life. I think she came in praising, I think she left praising. We’re gonna miss her, but our loss is heaven's gain."

Mandisa competed on the singing competition show in its fifth season, winning over the OG judging panel of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson when she auditioned with Alicia Keys' classic single "Fallin." She advanced to the Hollywood round, and eventually landed a spot among the main cast of contestants but was ultimately eliminated during the top-nine round.

Despite losing the show, Mandisa went on to find success as a solo artist, debuting her first album True Beauty in 2007. She later won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2014, for her album Overcomer. Across her career, Mandisa released six albums of original music and one greatest hits album in 2020. She earned four additional Grammy nods and her discography includes two Gold-certified singles.

A representative for Mandisa confirmed her death to Entertainment Weekly in an April 19 statement, writing, “Yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased. 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." No further details have been disclosed.

You can watch the American Idol tribute to Mandisa above.

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Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.