Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Other American Idol contestants from Season 5 steal the headlines — Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, occasionally Katharine McPhee (more on her soon).

But Mandisa Lynn Hundley, who performs as simply “Mandisa,” has quietly become the most successful Christian/gospel artist to graduate from the show.

And she has something to celebrate this week: Her first number one single on the Billboard Christian singles chart.

For the last three weeks that single, “Stronger,” has been stuck at number two behind “Glorious Day” by Casting Crowns on that chart.

But in the Billboard charts released Thursday, “Glorious Day” drops to number three. “Blessings” by Laura Story lands at number two.

And Mandisa is number one.

She’s come close in the past.

The 34-year-old’s debut album yielded a number seven Christian hit with “Only the World.”  “Christmas Makes Me Cry” from her 2007 Christmas EP reached number three on the Hot Christian singles chart.  And Mandisa cracked the top 10 again with “My Deliverer” from her 2009 album “Freedom.”

As for her solid third album, “What If We Were Real”:  It’s number nine on the Christian album chart, which means it’s been in the top 10 for two months now,  since its April 5 release.

Congrats, Mandisa.