“This song goes out to everybody that wants to be free. Your addiction, lifestyle, or situation may be big, but God is bigger,” proclaimed “American Idol” contestant Mandisa as she strutted onto the stage last night to sing the 2000 hit “Wanna Praise You” by the gospel duo Mary Mary. The song, also known as “Shackles” was described by the powerful vocalist–a leader at Living Proof Live conferences who’s not shy about talking about Jesus, especially to judge Simon Cowell–as a “testimony that there’s nothing too hard for God.”
While her spirited performance had members of the audience, including Season 3 contestant George Huff, up in their seats, Cowell found the performance to be “a bit indulgent,” noting that he “just didn’t get the performance.” Paula Abdul, however, judged it more than worthy, saying, “There’s a new religion and 40 million people have now joined the church of Mandisa.”
So, while we know Abdul’s a convert, we’ll have to wait and see on tonight’s results show how viewers judge Mandisa’s no-holds-barred testimony.