Danny Gokey Relives the Heartbreaking Moment He First Learned of Mandisa's Death

It was heartbreaking to hear of gospel and contemporary Christian artist Mandisa's death back in April.

As a beloved artist, Mandisa touched many lives through her music and love for others. She was only 47 years old when she passed away unexpectedly in her home in Franklin, TN. 

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Danny Hears About Mandisa's Passing

In an interview with CCM Magazine, three-time Grammy nominee and American Idol alum Danny Gokey discusses his close relationship with Mandisa and how he heard the news of her passing. "It was shocking," he says about finding out the heartbreaking news.

Danny goes on to talk about what he was doing that night. He had hosted a worship night at his house, and as soon as they finished, he received a call from his pastor. He then saw that his friend Natalie Grant was calling and knew something was going on. 

"Danny, are you sitting down?" she asked him.

"What's going on?" he responded.

"They found Mandisa dead," she told him. 

"It knocked the wind out of me," Danny says. "I couldn't believe it."

Mandisa Was a People Promoter 

He waited for most of the people to leave and then told others who knew her well what had happened. It had to have been such a heartbreaking moment. 

"You don't expect that," he says. "With Mandisa, though, like, how do you gauge that? Because you just, for me, it's like regret. I wish I would have reached out more."

Danny talks about how he and Mandisa toured together five or six times, commenting that "she was such a vibrant person. She was a people promoter." He also mentions how she loved it when people did better than her versus being insecure about it, which is often the case in the music industry. 

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An American Idol Tribute 

Mandisa was a true "champion of the people," and although we know she is walking with Jesus now, losing her is quite the loss as she was not only a fantastic singer but also a light to others in this crazy world. 

Mandisa's biggest song is "Overcomer," which came out in 2013. During the interview, one of the hosts suggests the idea that all of Mandisa's friends from the music industry should come together to do a cover of "Overcomer" in honor of her. 

Danny agrees, saying, "I kinda wish we would have sung that on American Idol." He was referring to their touching tribute to Mandisa on a recent episode of the show. Danny and two other former contestants, Coltonn Dixon and Melinda Doolittle, performed Mary Mary's song, "Shackles (Praise You)," one of the songs Mandisa sang when she was on American Idol in 2005. The three singers then talked about their relationship with the late singer. 

WATCH: American Idol's Tribute to Mandisa After Her Unexpected Death 

After her time on American Idol, Mandisa debuted her first album, "True Beauty," in 2007. In 2014, her album "Overcomer" won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. Danny appeared on American Idol in 2008, just four weeks after his wife Sophia had passed away after an operation related to her heart condition. 

Losing a friend is never easy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Danny, Mandisa's family, and other friends whose hearts are breaking over the loss of a treasured loved one.

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Watch: Interview With Danny Gokey About the Death of Mandisa

Danny Gokey Honors Mandisa & Shares How He Got The News Of Her Death from ccm-magazine on GodTube.

"The LORD is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit." - Psalms 34:18

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Featured Image Credit: YouTube/American Idol