American Idol star Mandisa is honored with an emotional tribute performance ... trends now

American Idol alum Mandisa was honored with a tribute performance on Monday's episode - after her shock death at the age of 47. 

She first rose to fame as a contestant on season five of the competition series in 2006, ultimately finishing in ninth place.

The singer then enjoyed an acclaimed career in Christian music, winning a Grammy Award in 2014 for her gospel album Overcomer.

Mandisa was discovered dead in her home in Franklin, Tennessee this April 18. Her cause of death was unknown then and has not been made public since, though police say they found 'no indication' of 'suspicious or criminal activity.'

This week on American Idol, she was given a musical farewell by her friends Colton Dixon, Melinda Doolittle and Danny Gokey, who are also veterans of the show.

The three singers delivered a stirring rendition of the Mary Mary song Shackles (Praise You), which Mandisa recorded in 2006.

After the performance, Melinda shared that she had known Mandisa 'for over 20 years. We started off singing background in sessions together, and then she got on Idol and I cheered for her, and then I came the next season and she cheered for me, so that is my girl through and through.'

Danny hailed Mandisa as 'a fan of people' and 'a cheerleader for other people's music. I remember when I got dropped from a record label and resigned to a new one - was transitioning - she had the biggest voice for me.'

Colton said Shackles (Praise You) 'sums up her life. I think she came in praising. I think she left praising. So we're gonna miss her, but our loss is Heaven's gain.' 

Mandisa candidly discussed her struggle with depression in 2017, telling ABC News that she once found herself on the verge of suicide.

However, while speaking at her memorial service last weekend, her father John Hundley insisted he did not believe she had died by her own hand.

'She did not harm herself,' he said, according to the Christian Post. 'As she said, Mandisa loved the Lord and the Lord loved Mandisa.'

He shared that Mandisa had been 'weak' following a COVID-19 battle, adding that her cause of death would be announced after a couple of weeks.

The latest episode of American Idol was an emotional one, with Katy Perry weeping after listening to Loretta Lynn's granddaughter Emmy Russell perform her own grandmother's legendary song Coal Miner's Daughter on Monday's  episode of American Idol on ABC.

The 39-year-old pop superstar got sentimental near the end of the two-hour episode after picking the song for Emmy, 34, as the Top 8 performed during the Judges' Song Contest episode.

'I chose this song not because Loretta Lynn is your grandma,' Katy said as her voice cracked with emotion. 'I chose this song because you are Emmy Russell and you can do anything now as Emmy Russell!'

Emmy, from Nashville, closed out the show singing her grandmother's song and brought tears to the judges and to her own family.

'I'm a granddaughter singing this to her grandmother,' Emmy said to the camera. 'I'm Emmy Russell. I'm 24 years old and I'm proud to be a coal miner's great granddaughter.'

Emmy played the piano as she sang and when she finished Emmy guessed correctly that Katy picked the song for her.

For the episode, the judges each secretly picked a song, but it was up to the contestants to decide what to sing. 

Will Moseley, 23, from Hazlehurst, Georgia, took the stage first and picked Johnny Cash's iconic song Folsom Prison Blues. Will said he thought that Lionel Richie, 74, picked the song for him. Lionel admitted he was right.

'It was fantastic,' Lionel said of his performance.