Mandisa Lynn Hundley (born October 2, 1976), [better source needed] known professionally as Mandisa, is an American gospel andcontemporary Christian recording artist. Her career began in the fifth season of American Idol, in which she finished in ninth place. She is the fifth American Idol alumna to win a Grammy Award for her album Overcomer in the Best Contemporary Christian Music AlbumMandisa Hundley was born and raised in Citrus Heights, California.
After graduating from El Camino Fundamental High School, she attended American River College inSacramento where she studied Vocal Jazz. Then she studied at Fisk University in Tennessee and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in vocal performance.