Photos: MANDISA Speaks to Women Worldwide About ‘FREEDOM’

FOUND IN 70+ LB WEIGHT LOSS

NEW PROJECT BOWING MARCH 24TH

AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST JOINED DISNEY’S ‘AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE’ EVENT WITH LARGEST REUNION OF IDOL ALUMNI INCLUDING CARRIE UNDERWOOD, RYAN SEACREST

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ — GRAMMY(R) nominee and American Idol finalist MANDISA is speaking to women worldwide about the freedom she has experienced through her incredible 70+lb weight loss in her upcoming sophomore release, FREEDOM, bowing on March 24th.

To the view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/emi/37102/

FREEDOM is the follow-up to Mandisa’s 2007 debut, TRUE BEAUTY, an album that created history by becoming the highest chart entry and the best-selling debut artist in the life of her label, Sparrow Records. It also became the only female debut to hit No. 1 in the 27-year history of Billboard’s Christian Retail Chart, received a GRAMMY(R) nomination for “Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, and her debut single “Only the World,” hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot Single Sales chart.

As much as American Idol was certainly the launch of a promising new musical career, it also represented another turning point. When “Idol” judge Simon Cowell made negative comments about her weight on national television, it was a shock to Mandisa and to many of the millions who were cheering her on. She admits now, as she has discussed at length in her 2007 book, that those hurtful words cut deeply, causing a lot of immediate pain and embarrassment.

“My struggle with weight has been the biggest struggle of my life and it began as a very young girl,” she says. “One day at a time, on a very difficult journey, I am being set free from what I call is a food addiction. As I speak, I have lost 70 pounds.”

The jubilant first single, “My Deliverer,” really is perfect example of the empowering message that builds the foundation of the entire album. With its buoyant pop/funk track backing her up, Mandisa sings with a carefree confidence about feeling more alive than ever, and it’s already clear the song is resonating with listeners, already NO. 22 on R&R’s AC Indicator chart.

Last week Mandisa was be a part of the largest gathering of American Idol Winners and finalists to date as they joined together to celebrate the opening of Walt Disney World’s newest attraction, The American Idol Experience. In addition, Mandisa performed at Disney’s annual Dreamers Academy for 100 Dreamers selected by radio host Steve Harvey and his panel of judges. The dreamers were nominated and endorsed by people who can recognize extra special qualities and the power to dream when they see it.

SOURCE EMI Group Limited