Christian gospel star Mandisa was honored on Monday’s episode of American Idol with a special performance by former contestants Colton Dixon, Danny Gokey, and Melinda Doolittle.
The trio, all dressed in white, sang Mary Mary’s 2000 hit “Shackles (Praise You)” in remembrance of the beloved singer. “I’ve known her for over 20 years,” Doolittle said following the tribute. “We started off singing background and sessions together and then she got on Idol and I cheered for her. Then I came the next season, and she cheered for me. So that is my girl through and through.”
After host Ryan Seacrest noted that “Shackles,” which Mandisa performed while on the the fifth season of American Idol in 2005, was “so special, in so many ways,” Dixon replied that the song “sums up her life,” adding: “I think she came in praising, I think she left praising….
