{"id":34934,"date":"2024-05-01T09:08:39","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T13:08:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=34934"},"modified":"2024-05-01T09:08:39","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T13:08:39","slug":"mandisa-shares-gospel-with-simon-cowell-after-rude-joke-on-american-idol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2024\/05\/mandisa-shares-gospel-with-simon-cowell-after-rude-joke-on-american-idol.html","title":{"rendered":"Mandisa Shares Gospel With Simon Cowell After Rude Joke on ‘American Idol’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Keeton Gale \/ Shutterstock.com | Inset: s_bukley \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mandisa, who sadly passed away last month, was known for her beautiful voice. She began her singing journey by appearing on season five of “American Idol” in 2005, where she finished ninth place. In resurfaced clips of her on the show, there was one that stood out more than the others, revealing the singer’s true heart of gold.<\/p>\n

After her audition, “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell was heard giving rude remarks about Mandisa’s weight. During the audition, Cowell praised the gospel singer for her vocals, calling her audition “terrific,” but when she left the room he said, \u201cCould we have a bigger stage this year?\u201d alluding to her size. It wasn’t until after the audition that Mandisa heard the hurtful comments made about her. In a beautiful moment, Mandisa used the uncomfortable confrontation as an opportunity to give others grace. \u201cSimon, a lot of people want me to say a lot of things to you,\u201d Mandisa began in the now-famous confrontation. \u201cBut this is what I want to say to you. \u2026 Yes, you hurt me, and I cried. And it was painful \u2014 it really was. But I want you to know that I\u2019ve forgiven you, and that you don\u2019t need someone to apologize in order to forgive somebody. And I figure, if Jesus could die so that all of my wrongs could be forgiven, I can certainly extend that same grace to you.\u201d Cowell seemed to take Mandisa’s response in stride by saying, \u201cMandisa, I\u2019m humbled. Come here, give me a kiss. Give me a kiss. I\u2019m just so appalling, aren\u2019t I? But we like each other now?\u201d He later added, \u201cI do apologize.\u201d<\/p>\n