Getty American Idol will be reuniting stars from season five in the May 4, 2026 episode, but one finalist who sadly won't be there is Mandisa. The gospel singer, who came in ninth place on season 5, tragically passed away in 2024. After being eliminated from Idol in 2006, she went on to release her debut album True Beauty in 2007. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Christian Album charts, an historic achievement that made Mandisa the first new female artist ever to debut on the top of the chart's 27-year history.