On the heels of her recent GRAMMY nomination (one of just three idol alums to be nominated), MANDISA has also been nominated for two Gospel Music Association Dove Awards for the coveted Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year categories. In addition, the songwriter for her hit single “God Speaking” was nominated for Inspirational Song of the Year. In addition, MANDISA’s label debut, “True Beauty” has also scanned over 100k units in just 6 months, making it one of, if not the, best selling new artist project in the genre, as well as one of Sparrow Records’ fastest-selling new artists ever.

On top of this, Mandisa has partnered with EDY’S® SLOW CHURNED® LIGHT ICE CREAM as they distribute one million free CDs at participating grocery stores across the U.S. As a part of their HOT TRACKS promotion. When consumers purchase any two EDY’s SLOW CHURNED Light Ice Cream products they will receive a free CD featuring eight full-length original tracks. This platinum pressing of one million CDs will include tracks by former American Idol finalists including Mandisa (Season 5) Justin Guarini (Season 1), Kimberly Caldwell (Season 2), George Huff (Season 3), Anthony Fedorov (Season 4), Constantine Maroulis (Season 4), Nadia Turner (Season 4), and Chris Richardson (Season 6). From February through April, CDs will be available at select EDY’s brand retail locations nationwide.

Following the no. 1 Single on Billboard’s Hot Single Sales chart, appearances on The Today Show, Live! With Regis & Kelly, The Tom Joyner Show, countless radio and retail visits, and ringing in the holiday Season for the New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree lighting, vocal powerhouse Mandisa’s debut CD, “True Beauty,” entered at No. 1 on Soundscan’s Christian/Gospel and itunes Christian/Gospel charts, continuing to prove that you don’t have to win American Idol to be a winner. This Idol alum’s chart entry also marked the first debut album by a female solo artist to open at No. 1 since this chart converted to Nielsen SoundScan back in 1995, as well as making Mandisa the only female solo artist to land at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart with a debut album in the 27 years since Billboard began tracking Christian album sales in March 1980.

Mandisa shot to instant fame when millions of TV viewers across the nation were captivated by her winning smile and powerhouse vocals as she sang her way into the final rounds of “American Idol’s” fifth season. Showcasing Mandisa’s stylistic range was the task set before the five sets of producers who lined up to work with her on her debut, “True Beauty.” The end result is a seamless flow of tracks that create a diverse landscape for messages of hope, inspiration and faith. “Only the World” is the album’s funky, energetic first single, and has spent five consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Top Single Sales chart.

Mandisa’s desire to live free of society’s expectations sits at the heart of the messages interwoven throughout True Beauty. Issues of self-esteem and self-worth are front-and-center among those that most young women struggle with today, and Mandisa admits she is no different. “More than just a career, I really want to have a ministry that has an impact on people. I just want to follow through with what is in my heart. I never want to look back and wonder, ‘What would have happened if….’”