Mandisa’s cause of death revealed: American Idol star passed away from obesity complications aged 47

American Idol star Mandisa died in April at the age of 47 from complications of obesity.

The Grammy winner was found deceased at her Nashville home by friends on April 18 – with an autopsy report obtained by People confirming that she died from complications of class III obesity.

The report revealed that the star was ‘last known alive approximately three weeks’ before she was found dead.

Class III obesity is a disease in which a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher and experiences obesity-related health problems – according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The Grammy Award-winning musician competed in the fifth season of the popular talent show and finished in ninth place. She went on to have a celebrated career in Christian music.

Originally from Citrus Heights, California, Mandisa studied vocal jazz at American River College in Sacramento and music at Fisk University in Tennessee.

Her debut album, True Beauty, was released in 2007. It was her 2013 album Overcomer that won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and helped her become one of the country’s biggest Christian music stars.

The singer auditioned for American Idol in 2005 and cited her musical influences from Def Leppard to Whitney Houston.

During her first appearance on the show, judge Simon Cowell made several jokes about her weight, saying: “Are we having a bigger stage this year?”

When co-host Paula Abdul said Mandisa’s voice sounded ‘French’, Cowell intervened and said a better comparison would be to the whole country of France.

The joke prompted complaints from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.

Later in the season, Mandisa finally responded to Cowell.

“What I want to say to you is that you hurt me and I cried and it was painful, it really was. But I want you to know that I have forgiven you and you don’t need someone to apologize to forgive someone,” she said.

I think if Jesus could die so that all my faults could be forgiven, then surely I can extend that same grace to you too.”

Cowell apologized and said he was “humiliated” by her words.

In 2012, Mandisa revealed that she had lost a whopping 100 pounds in the six years since her appearance on the show, with the starlet revealing that she had hired a personal trainer and taken up popular dance training Zumba in the wake of Cowells’ hurtful and mean ‘ comments.

Mandisa credited God with helping her through severe depression when she lost her dear friend Kisha to breast cancer.

“It got pretty bad — to the point where I wouldn’t be sitting here today if I hadn’t gotten off that road,” she candidly revealed in an interview with Good Morning America.

“I was so close to listening to that voice that said to me, ‘You can be with Jesus now, Mandisa. All you have to do is take your life.”

‘It almost happened. But God is what I saw. He literally saved my life.

“I’ve never been the type of person to shake my fist and yell at God. “I’m the kind of person who shuts down,” she continued.

In the same interview, Mandisa said she turned to food during her depression.

‘[Emotional eating] is what I’ve done all my life. After losing 120 pounds, which I talked about the first time here, I gained it all back and another 75 pounds. After Kisha died, I fell into the deepest depression of my life.’

The singer went on to say that she only started taking ownership of her issues when a group of friends confronted her as she was leaving the theater.

“I came out of the movie theater after years of sitting in that dark place and ignoring everyone, and I noticed there were sticky notes all over my car,” she said.

From there, her friends staged an intervention.

“I realized that I don’t have to be perfect and have it all together. I’m a masterpiece in the making, but right now I’m not finished yet.’

Mandisa spoke about the Cowell incident again in October 2022 during an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network and describes it as her “worst fear come true.”

“It’s been the biggest struggle of my life and because it’s something I feel so vulnerable about. For him to say that and for it to be broadcast on national television, I was devastated.”

“After the show was over, some of my friends gathered around me and started praying for me. They began to pray for Simon. They asked the Lord to have mercy on him, and they began to ask the Lord to help me forgive Simon.”

“I realized in that moment that this was about so much more than just me and my hurt feelings,” she said.

The singer revealed that the situation was set up by producers who warned her that Cowell would reference her weight and that she should “tell him.”

In the same interview, Mandisa also discussed her upbringing, saying that her father left the family at a young age. She said it was that desolation that first led her to use food as comfort.

The hitmaker further said that her father pushed her to perform.

‘I felt like I had to act to justify his love. At that point I think I started to struggle with feelings of abandonment and – because I don’t have a father figure in my life – he is still a very big part of my life, just not in the same way as I am,” she said.

In the shocking CBN interview, Mandisa also dropped the bombshell that she was raped at the age of 16.

“When that happened at 16, it was like a floodgate opened. I started eating and eating and eating. I think I was protecting myself a little bit from anyone else who could harm me.”

The singer said she has been able to forgive her attacker.

KTIS radio host Keith Stevens paid tribute to Mandisa, calling her a “major influence” on his life.

“I am deeply saddened to share with you that Christian artist Mandisa has passed away at her home in Nashville. She had a great influence on my life and yours, and on all of us at KTIS. She has performed at so many KTIS events and maybe you were there,” he said.

“Today our lives feel this great loss. Please pray for her family. We love you Mandisa. Thank you for blessing our lives and letting the light of Jesus shine in everything you did,” he continued.