Welcoming the New American Idol Class, Idol Alum Powerhouse Mandisa to Release Debut Album and Book

Welcoming the New American Idol Class, Idol Alum Powerhouse Mandisa to Release Debut Album and Book

Projects Reveal Vocalists' Heart, Passion-Filled Talent and Personal Struggles with Faith, Fat and Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- America met MANDISA when she stepped into the national spotlight as a standout contestant on the fifth season of Fox's mega-hit show "American Idol." This spring and summer they will get to know her even better when she releases her debut album (EMI/Sparrow) and book (Tyndale House) in May and June.

Produced by Shaun Shankel (Destiny's Child, Kimberly Locke), Doubledutch- Robert Marvin and Josiah Bell (tobyMac, Mat Kearney), as well as others to be announced, Mandisa's national debut is scheduled for release this May and will feature songs that reflect her personal journey, struggles, success as well as her contagious joy and passionate heart. Mandisa's solo debut will showcase the talent that captured hearts on "American Idol" as well as super star guest coach Barry Manilow.

"I'm such a fan already," Manilow exclaimed on air after Mandisa's rehearsal session of "I Don't Hurt Anymore." "Mandisa is one of those girls that has range and she can sing from bottom to top without any trouble. She's one of a kind."

In her upcoming book, 'IdolEyes,' on shelves June 1st, Mandisa gives an in-depth view into her journey on the No.1 reality show in America. Co- authored with Angela Hunt, Mandisa shares how both difficult and triumphant events put her faith to the test. Speaking openly and honestly about her life-long battle with food addiction, Mandisa shows how it has affected her personally, and how the now famous, derogatory remarks made by judge Simon Cowell on live television have provided her with the opportunity to become a positive role model for millions of women who are struggling to live up to popular culture's image of the "ideal woman." Mandisa offers women the hope that they can be beautiful at any size, and that healthy self-esteem and personal beauty come only when they accept themselves as a unique and much- loved woman of God's creation.

"I am a living witness that God can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine," exclaims Mandisa. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a recording artist, an author and a model! I am so thankful for my experience on 'Idol,' both the good and the hard times. Because of it, I am living my dream. As a child I could always be found either singing in the bathroom with my curling iron as a microphone or sitting at my desk writing the most elaborate stories my imagination could muster."

Since becoming a household name, Mandisa has had many doors opened to her. She recently joined musical legend Gladys Knight and other performers such as Lalah Hathaway, Shirley Murdock and The Boys Choir of Harlem on stage at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater at the first Benefit Gala "Back to Harlem," sponsored by the Ashley Stewart Stores Community Foundation. The premiere event raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for three outstanding charities: the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dress for Success and The Boys Choir of Harlem. Mandisa also recently contributed vocals to Gold-selling recording artist tobyMac on his upcoming release "Portable Sounds" (EMI/Forefront).

Mandisa has also signed on to be a spokesmodel for Ashley Stewart Stores, the trend-setting fashion retailer that outfitted a number of her performances on "American Idol."

Prior to "American Idol," Mandisa performed backup as well as studio work for a wide variety of artists including Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Take 6, Twila Paris, Sandi Patty, Charlie Daniels, Travis Cottrell and more. She has also traveled across the nation with various worship conferences and women's events and retreats (Integrity Music, Living Proof Live featuring Beth Moore, LifeWay Christian Women's Conventions) as a worship leader.

To hear Mandisa talk about her background, "American Idol," and things to come, visit HearItFirst.com. For more information on Mandisa, log on to http://www.myspace.com/Mandisa.

Angela Hunt is represented by the literary agency of Browne & Miller Literary Associates LLC, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 460, Chicago, IL 60605.

Source: Media Collective

CONTACT: Media, Lori Isaacs of Media Collective, +1-615-591-7989, or
lori@themcollective.com

Web site: http://www.themcollective.com/
http://www.hearitfirst.com/
http://www.myspace.com/Mandisa

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