Mandisa News

Move over, Kelly Clarkson.

There's another new album arriving in stores this month from a former American Idol star. True Beauty, a vocal project with a faithful purpose, is the first effort by Mandisa.

Her earlier release, "Only The World," recently reached the #1 spot of POP Billboard’s Hot Singles Sales. Radio DJs around the country have been playing and loving it, noting that they’re sure to be hearing more from Mandisa soon.

Here is a review of the CD by Blog Critics:

Mandisa, an American Idol contestant who was eliminated in the ninth round, refers to herself as "a plus-sized, thirty-year-old black woman whose heart belongs to Jesus."  She believes that her ninth place finish was not a punishment but rather the fulfillment of God's purpose for her life.

Besides the highly anticipated True Beauty album, Mandisa has also recently published the book IDOLeyes, a telling of her life from unknown to possibly the most recognized former American Idol.

The title, True Beauty, is Mandisa’s message about “Visions of perfection/Such a misconception/’Cause the real connection is deeper than the eye can see.” It exemplifies the desire of women to be known and respected for who they are within.  Singing from personal experience, it is a Biblical message that all women in today's modern world need to hear and believe.

Highlights from the album are “Oh My Lord,” a lively tune with Negro spiritual rhythms which includes the Fisk University Jubilee Singers. "It's a brand new day/Somebody raise your hands and sing! ... You set me free/I belong to the King of Kings."  This is truly a song of thanks and freedom!

“Love Somebody,” written by TobyMac and Aaron Rice features TobyMac and his band Diverse City. Reminiscent of the disco era, "Take a chance and pass it on/ And love somebody."  This is not a romantic love song, but rather an example of how each of us can affect the world, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

“God Speaking” relates how God breaks through to those who are listening. Flowing gently, it summons the richness of Mandisa's vocal abilities.

“Voice of a Savior” was co-penned by Sam Mizell and Matthew West. "You and I are not that different/....All we want is a hand to reach to."  A beautiful song, Mandisa emphasizes that we are all the same — looking for Christ to fill the void within us.

Do you want to dance?  Beginning with the clink clink of chains, the single "Shackles" requires the listener to throw off the binds that hold him from dancing.  This song will have even the most introverted feeling like moving his feet.  The syncopation is written right into the middle to spice it up.

"Steal My Joy" lifts up the depressed, giving hope to those oppressed by the struggles of life given to us by the world.  Sweet and short, it's uplifting.

True Beauty demonstrates Mandisa’s range, variations in style, breath, and vibrato. She carries her listeners on a journey through her Christian and public life. It is a life in which she’s struggled, rejoiced, endured tests, and has found freedom. It is a debut worth listening to.

Thanks to Entertainment Weekly for this review of the first single released by Mandisa...

Mandisa still had enough fans left to propel "Only the World" straight to the top of Billboard's singles sales chart this week. (Though not nearly enough to get her comparable spots on the more important Hot 100 and Hot 100 Airplay charts.)

We're not sure, however, why anyone other than a diehard Fandisa would give this more than a couple spins. It's got a sweet, sunny melody, and Mandisa's voice rings out clear and on-key throughout. But those motivational lyrics ("It's only the world I'm living in/It's only today I've been given/There ain't no way I'm giving in") sound like they come from a rejected Hallmark card, and the half-hearted rhythm guitar licks and bobbing bassline provide approximately 95 percent less funk than, say, Maroon 5's last single.

As Mandisa herself puts it in the first verse, "nothin' new here's/What I do here."

On American Idol, Mandisa sang her way into the hearts of millions. Although she didn't win, the experience helped propel the gospel singer's career to a higher level.

Later this month, she will perform with Kirk Franklin and Toby Mac at the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards. She's also currently recording her debut album, which will be released on EMI-CMG.

But music is not the only way Mandisa plans to share her Christian beliefs with the world.

The former American Idol hopeful has signed on to be a spokesmodel for Ashley Stewart stores and in June 2007, she will release Idoleyes: My New Perspective on Faith, Fat & Fame.

In the book, Mandisa candidly talks about various times in her life, such as how her faith was challenged and deepened as a result of Idol. She also talks about her longtime battle with food addiction.

The Christian publisher, Tyndale, will release the book.

We hope you're enjoying the latest round of American Idol singers - we're rooting for Sarah Krueger so far - but here's an update on what former contestants are up to:

• Chris Daughtry, whose debut album has sold 1.23 million copies, has announced the four California dates of his first headlining tour: Jan. 28 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, Jan. 29 in Solana Beach, Feb. 1 at the El Rey in Los Angeles and Feb. 4 at Slim's in San Francisco.

• Taylor Hicks has booked 23 dates in the South, Midwest and Northeast starting Feb. 21 in Jacksonville, Fla.

• Mandisa will release her debut album via EMI/Sparrow Records in May 2007.

• Kellie Pickler received the RIAA Gold certification of her debut album, Small Town Girl.

We've shown your Clay Aiken yukking it up on stage and Chris Daughty rocking out on a similar platform.

One place the American Idol Picture of the Day has not taken fans, however? DisneyWorld. We figured it was time to change that.

Below, Kevin Covais, Mandisa, Paris Bennett and Ace Young all take in the sights. Among them, of course, was a certain happy, silly dog. He's quite goofy, if we do say so ourselves.