Friends of Grammy-winning singer Mandisa are honoring her life and legacy following her death on April 18, 2024.
Mandisa was a contemporary Christian singer whose career unfolded on live TV back in 2005 on "American Idol." She died at 47 years old in Nashville, Tennessee earlier this month.
"She always had a smile on her face, and I call it 'sticky sweet' because it stays with you," said Karla Lewis, Mandisa's friend and former Fisk Jubilee singer. "What I love about her as an artist was the way she would interpret the songs and make you feel it."
Dr. Caarne White, friend and former roommate of Mandisa, said when it came to vocals, Mandisa was a "beast."
"Not just her range, but her ability to flip. I think that allowed her to go from singing spiritual music and gospel music to singing Christian music," she said.
The Fisk Jubilee Singers, which Mandisa was a part of while at Fisk University, honored the singer with a tribute on April 26. Her funeral was held at Brentwood Baptist Church on April 27. The Fisk Jubilee singers sang one song - "Our Father" - on the program.
"When things like this happen, it does hurt. But, as believers, we're not people who are without hope," said Lewis.
"If people could be saved, if they could see the love of God, if they could come to know Jesus - that's what she was about," said White. "That was the theme of Saturday, which was the funeral service... 'I am an overcomer, but now I have overcome.'"
"American Idol" honored Mandisa with a tribute on April 29.