GoodSearch keywords to search for

Tale of two Idols: Mandisa's "Idol" pain, and a Christian rock band imposter

Mandisa takes on Simon Cowell

“American Idol”--one of the most popular shows on TV--is currently airing its latest season.  Several previous contestants have become successful Christian music artists, including Mandisa, a ninth-place finalist during the 2006 season who appeared at Nightvision in Olathe in 2008.

Plugged In Online recently featured an excerpt from her book “IdolEyes” about a painful comment that Idol judge Simon Cowell made about her weight.  (She has since lost 75 pounds and named her second album “Freedom” after breaking her “addiction to food.”)

Mandisa recalled that painful moment on "American Idol":

After my interview with Ryan Seacrest (host), the camera shifted to me singing "Fallin’."  Paula, Randy and Simon (judges) said nice things and counted down together as they sent me through to the Hollywood round.  The camera zoomed in on my beaming face, then showed me leaving the room in a joyous conniption fit.

Then, before a national television audience, Simon looked over at Paula and asked, "Are we going to get a bigger stage this year?"  Paula slapped him playfully and said I reminded her of Frenchie Davis, a former contestant.  Simon grinned cheekily and said, "She's more like France."

I swallowed hard and tried to smile.  I'd gone from my life's highest moment to one of its lowest.

When Mandisa appeared on stage the following week, she told Cowell:

"Well Simon, you didn't need a bigger stage, but you could have gotten me a bigger chair."  Randy laughed.  Paula smiled.  Having broken the ice, I sat down and looked Simon square in the eye.  

"Simon, a lot of people want me to say a lot of things to you right now.  But this is what I want to say—I want you to know that you hurt me.  I cried, and it was very emotional for me.  But the good thing about forgiveness is that you don't need someone to apologize in order to forgive them.  So Simon, I want you to know I have forgiven you, because if Jesus could forgive me for all the things I've done wrong, I can certainly extend the same grace to you."

Simon's smug grin disappeared.  He uncrossed his arms and hung his head.  "Well, I feel about this big," he said, holding two fingers an inch apart.  "Mandisa, I'm humbled.  Come here and give me a kiss."  

You can read the rest of the story at http://www.pluggedin.com/familyroom/articles/2007/forgivingwhenithurts.aspx

Kevin Max is a Christian Music “Imposter”

A new video is now out on DVD featuring a fictional Christian band called Grand Design.  The drama revolves around the lead singer, Johnny C (Kevin Max of dcTalk), who professes Jesus during the concerts, but lives a different set of values off the stage.  When his long-time friend (Jeff Deyo of SonicFlood) removes him from the band and his wife leaves him, Johnny C turns to his mentor (Kerry Livgren of Kansas), who shows him how to begin taking off his masks.  “But will it be enough to turn his life around?” asks the movie trailer.  You can find out if you watch the DVD: www.theimpostermovie.com