*Former “American Idol” finalist Mandisa Hundley, a two-time Grammy nominee who finished in the top 10 the year Taylor Hicks won, is now 90 pounds lighter and planning to release her third gospel album April 5, called “What If We Were Real.”
She tells the Associated Press that her emotional weight loss journey began two years ago, and the struggles fueled her new music.
“Where I was at the beginning of this album and where I ended up are two very different places,” she told The AP in an e-mail. “It’s been a process. I will always struggle with my weight. It’s the thorn in my flesh.”
Standing on a scale one morning and seeing a disappointing number prompted Mandisa to finally get real with herself and her fans.
“I had gained weight and was so frustrated at that moment that I said so on Twitter.”
She tweeted: “I’m fed-up and over it.”
“I was feeling embarrassed and ashamed. I realized that I had only talked about how great things were. I never let people in when they were not. It was then that I decided I’d talk about the bad things too,” she said.
Mandisa - before and after
The result is what Mandisa calls her most honest record to date.
She began recording “in a very dark place.” The title track and the song “Just Cry” came out of those early sessions. However, by the end of the process, she said she was back to a place of peace and joy, with the song “Lifeline,” about unwavering trust in God, the last track she recorded.
Mandisa is on her way to losing 100 pounds but said she doesn’t have a goal weight.
“My only goal is to be healthy physically, spiritually, and emotionally. That is a lifelong journey,” she said.
I wondered waht happened to Mandisa. So, is she goiong to keep dropping weight every time she releases a new CD??? just to have success in the music biz??? I thought she stated once that she was happy with herself. I guess not huh! She is falling into the idea of the image thing that the music biz promotes so, the notion that you have to be skinny, and sexy to make it big. What is next?? wearing skimpy clothes, or some wild hair color???
I didn’t get that impression at all. Maybe you and I read two different articles.
As a BBW myself, I know what old girl felt and was going through. Each person has his/her own breaking point and she reached hers. Of course, we’re all susceptible to outside influences; but, nothing and I mean nothing can compel you to lose weight until you FINALLY make it up in your mind to lose it. I really doubt her record company or the promotion that goes along with releasing an album was her motivating force. She had her epiphany when she stepped on a scale and saw a number that scared the beejeesus out of her. My personal epiphany was seeing a picture of myself where I couldn’t even recognize myself. At that point, I knew the weight had to go.
Congrats to Mandisa on her weight loss. I wish her continued success with her music and journey for emotional, physical and spiritual happiness.
Good for her..
This lady can sing and has a dynamic voice range, but, visually, I knew back then she would have a challenge being heard because we live in the age where being seen and being seen attractive is important; and it shouldn’t be. Go get it Mandisa!
Honestly speaking, I’ll be glad when we get to the point that losing weight is no longer news.
This chick ALWAYS had WTF “should be” the focus…MASSIVE TALENT!!! Maybe “now’, she’ll get the recognition she RIGHTFULLY deserves! The industry is allergic/AFRAID of..”talent” nowadays, & will find anyway to get & keep mo fo’s “with it”…out of the game!!! SMMFH Sum moe!!!