About a month ago I was talking to a couple of nice people who work at Mandisa‘s record label about giving away some CDs, and during the course of the conversation I said something along the lines of, “Hey, you know what? I would love to ask Mandisa some questions.”
LIKE I’M A JOURNALIST OR SOMETHING.
Much to my surprise, they didn’t hoot and guffaw at my idea – they totally made it happen.
And oh, were my questions for sweet Mandisa ever hard-hitting. Because any good journalist will tell you that the path to interviewing success is to ask your subject WHAT KIND OF MAKE-UP SHE LIKES.
I mean, Diane Sawyer has built her whole career on that very strategy.
Anyway, Mandisa was oh-so-gracious to answer all of my questions – and there was so much good stuff from her that I’m actually going to post the interview in two parts. Part One will be today, and I’ll post Part Two this Friday when I announce who has won the fabulous prizes.
What fabulous prizes, you ask?
Well, since Shannon is having the Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway this week, I thought it would be a great chance to give away five copies of Mandisa’s new book, Idoleyes – and ten copies of Mandisa’s upcoming full-length CD, True Beauty. To be entered in the drawing, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.
And also: as you read the interview, be sure to notice that Mandisa actually mentioned Emma Kate in one of her answers – probably because I mentioned Emma Kate in one of the questions. But still. It’s really only a matter of time before Emma Kate has a t-shirt made that says, “MANDISA MENTIONED ME IN AN INTERVIEW, Y’ALL. ON THE INTERNET.”
So here’s part one.
Now tell me the truth, Mandisa: did you ever dare to dream that one day, as the result of a new book and a new CD, you’d have the opportunity to answer questions for a blog with a klassy name like “BooMama”?
Now I feel like my dreams have finally come true!!!
I’m a Southern girl by birth, and I know you’re a Southern girl by choice, so I think we need to get a few Southern girl questions out of the way. Ready?
– favorite brand of make-up?
MAC eye shadows & lip glosses and Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation.
– favorite place for BBQ?
My best friend Chandra’s dad’s house in Conway, AR. He can throw down!
– Coke or Pepsi?
I’m a Pepsi girl.
– favorite home-cooked meal?
Fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and corn bread…mmmmm!
– favorite place to shop?
Ashley Stewart
Another Terribly Important question: what do you use to clean your face? I ask because YOUR SKIN IS GORGEOUS, and I want to do whatever you’re doing. Rightthissecond.
Awww, thanks! I use Proactiv Solution because I have battled acne and this not only helps with that but gives my skin a really smooth surface.
All righty – now that the important stuff is out of the way, let’s talk about singing. Because you can’t just sing – you can SANG, and there is SUCH a difference.
I first heard you sing (SANG) at a Living Proof Live event in Knoxville back in 2005, and I hummed “Shackles” the whole way home – because YOU ROCKED IT. How did you first meet Travis Cottrell and the LPL praise team?
I used to work in the customer service department of LifeWay Church Resources and would sing in their chapel services occasionally. One year they were having a spring revival featuring special guest Travis Cottrell and they put together a praise team of employees to sing with him. He called shortly after and invited me to sing with him at a Beth Moore event in Charlotte, NC. I became a part of his team from that moment on and continued with those events for 5 years.
Do you look back on your time with LPL and think OH YEAH – God was totally laying the foundation for the time on “American Idol”?
Absolutely! I can trace the hand of God all over my life, including my time with Living Proof Live. I certainly wouldn’t be the woman I am today if I had not been trained and taught through those very crucial years.
I remember looking on the “AI” website the day after the competition was down to twelve finalists, and you mentioned Beth Moore in your Q & A. It really resonated with me because her ministry has affected me (and so many of the women who read my blog) in a huge way. What kind of impact has her ministry had on your life?
Beth is the godliest person I know. I did her “Breaking Free†Bible study in college and it resonated with me so deeply. You can imagine my elation when I met her in person and became a part of her ministry. I could have died a happy woman right then! Beth tells a story of one of her mentors, Buddy. She was a young, green, bound up girl when she attended a Bible class Buddy was teaching. She left crying out to the Lord that “whatever it is he has, I WANT IT!â€. I found myself praying the same thing about Beth. When I saw her passion for God and love for His Word, I prayed that He would bless me with the same passion. God used my time under her teaching to shape me into who I am today.
Singing seems so natural to you – effortless, almost. But when did singing start to feel like God’s calling on your life? Was it just a general impression you had – or something much more specific?
I have been singing since I was a little girl. Even as a child, when people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always a singer. As I grew older people would begin to follow up with, “What will you fall back on if that doesn’t work out?†My reply would always be, “I’m not planning on falling backâ€. It is what I have always wanted to do and I believe God placed the desire in me at a very early age.
My best friend Emma Kate was FURIOUS when you were voted off of “AI” – so will you please assure her that you’re okay? I mean, things seem to have worked out pretty well for you, what with your fabulous new CD and a #1 single and all.
While I must confess that being eliminated was very difficult for me in the beginning because of some controversies surrounding me, I am a living witness that you don’t have to win American Idol to be successful from it. When I got off of the AI tour I had a recording contract, a book publishing contract, and a modeling contract. Please assure Emma Kate that I am better than okay. I am living a bigger dream than I ever dreamt for myself!
She is, in a word, delightful.
And for more great giveaways, visit Shannon’s place. All week long.
I want to be president of the Mandisa fan club. I LOVE Mandisa; I was completely obsessed with her for a year. I’ve even blogged about her. So I am completely jealous that you interacted with her!
I’ve read the book, of course, the second it came out, but I want to win a CD!!!!
Awesome interview!
count me in on the book and or cd giveaway.
love your blog!
BooMama…..YOU ROCK!!
Please enter my name.
Yeah Mandisa, she is beautiful inside and out!
Oh, what a great interview, Boomama! I think you just might have a new calling on your life. Good questions overall. Hey, please put me in the drawing. I’m a huge Mandisa fan too & would love to win a CD or book!
Rhoda in B’ham
i am just so impressed you fineagled an interview–you are a very daring boomama. and you did a great job, what with your hard hitting questions and all: coke or pepsi is what everyone wants to know, really, and those network types never even think to ask. shame. looking forward to part 2!
Great interview! Please enter me in the drawing, I’d love to win one of her CD’s, I just love her voice :)
I also loved Mandisa on AI!! And I was so sad when she got kicked off. But I loved her attitude. I would love to be entered for the cd!
Great interview! And count me in on the drawing!
Enter me in the drawing, please! I have heard there is lots of good behind the scenes AI stuff in her book!
Mandisa and BooMama, it just doesn’t get any better!
Pick me, pick me, I want to win! I LOVE reading a good story of God working in someone’s life, I LOVE uplifting praise music, and I LOVE AI! And of course, you & Mandisa too. :O)
Count me in! I would love to win!
I have been a lurker for a while, but had to leave a comment today. I am getting the Monk and Neagle CD. Thank you, I can’t wait! Count me in for this giveaway as well. I love your blog!! God Bless!
I am not commenting. This is because my jaw is hanging so far open in amazement and awe that it is obscuring my ability to type.
Enter me in the contest and lemme at the second half of that interview!
I’m in!
How GREAT that you got to interview Mandisa!
Add me to your loooooong list!
OK, that interview just makes me like her all the more!!!
I’d love to enter! Thanks Boomama! : )
I’m in! I’m in! Conway…we are practically neighbors!!
:)
What a great interview! I’m so jealous that you got to talk to her but thankful it was you and not me. Seriously, she is one of my favorite things this summer! I have to click over to myspace (which I loathe) just to hear her! So PLEASE count me in on the CD giveaway – I’d love it!!
Count me in-I love Mandisa so much that Karen Smith got a little pin with her picture on it from the AI concert. Mandisa’s pin is still in my car. Love the interview, especially the makeup questions, so IMPORTANT!! Love, Belinda
I want in! Great interview!
Loved the interview. Great stuff!
It’s so fun how you got to interview Mandisa!! First the CD giveaways, now interviews,…..you are really getting to be quite famous yourself!! Who would have thunk it?!?!
Sweet!!
Great interview! She seems so humble! :)
DELIGHTFUL, indeed. You BOTH are, actually. AND, I’m sure Mandisa will never be the same either, after that interview with you! I can just imagine how you would feel that she’s your new BFF…..of course, all of us internets say that about YOU!!! ;)
And of course, I”d love to win, sugah!
Oh, and I just have to say how DELIGHTED I am that Mandisa gives God all the glory….I love that she says HE had his Hand working big time in all the things he brought to pass in her life. What a testimony!!!
Love Mandisa! Pick me for the giveaway!
I really want that book and the cd too! What a great giveaway! Thanks!
I always knew that Mandissa is AWESOME, and the interview just reinforced that belief. Thank you so much for sharing the interview, and for the drawing! :-) Sure hope I win. LOL.. :-)
I’m on for the drawing, and I’m off to price Proactiv, gurl!
I loved the interview. You’re, like, almost famous now! Fun!
Man, your comments fill up fast, but still….PICK ME, PICK ME!!!!
Friday is my birthday and I would love to have this as a gift!
I am a HUGE Mandisa fan! I was doing Believing God during AI last year, and she did the Believing God sign language during AI!!! I about fell out of my chair! (This was before I found out she was on Beth’s praise team and all.) I want this CD so bad!!!
Lovin’ us some Mandisa! Can’t wait to win the CD! :)
Great interview!! I have loved Mandisa from the moment she sang her first note on American Idol. I can’t wait to have that CD in my hands!!!
Great interview! I always loved Mandisa but now…even more!
Loved EK’s question. She is a hoot!
Barbara Walters watch out! I’m feeling lucky – like I might win this time!
That is too cool! Please include me in your drawing. Thank you oh so very much!
BooMama,
Just want you to know, I wanna be like you when I grow up :)
Lisa B
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog so much. It is hilarious and encouraging all at the same time. What can be better than that?
Thank you for doing what you do!
Well, she’s just lovely, isn’t she?
I have to go buy some Proactive. STAT.
Hi there BooMama! What an awesome interview. I just love Mandisa, and she seems like the sweetest person. As a fellow Southern gal, I agree with you on the importatn questions.
God Bless!
BooMama, I have never really been a fan of AI…but, when Mandisa was on, I would tune in to listen. What a voice! And what a ministry! If either of my girls grows up like Mandisa, I’d be totally proud! Thanks for shining the light, BooMama & Mandisa
ps – maybe I’ll be lucky this go round (giveaway)!!
How cool is that? I think that I’d buy Mandisa’s book just because she is such a genuine and Godly gal. May God Bless her as she walks the journey He has placed before her.
Have a great day!
Blessings,
Holly
I loved Mandisa on AI. I’d love to get her book or CD! Oh, and great interview. Can’t wait to read the rest!
oh wow wow wow!!!!!
how incredible that you got to do an interview with Mandisa!
you know… this whole blog world is really a ministry for you. amazing what the Lord is doing through this.
wow
Great interview! Count me in on the drawing please. :)
Great interview- Not the typical Cookie Cutter ones. Very creative and very refreshing. You actually helped us “get to know” her.
Thanks, BooMama and Mandisa!
Mandisa came to our church with Travis Cottrell before Idol and we took her to dinner. She is amazing!!! We were trying to hook her up with a great Christian friend of our’s. Love, love, love Mandisa. Thanks for the great giveaway. Please sign me up!
What a fabulous idea! Count me in Please.
Great interview – my kind of hard hitting questions!
That was fun! She seems like a sweet girl.
I’d love a chance in the giveaway!
Great prize…count me in!!
Wow BooMama! You’re not just a “writer”, you’re a “journalist” too!!! : )
I loved it and can’t wait to read the rest. (BTW, was this interview done on the phone or did she read your questions and type her answers to you?) Just curious b/c I know how to ask deep questions too, you know.
Please do count me in.
That’s just so very cool. Count me in for sure, and I can’t wait to read part two!
Would love the CD. Thanks for sharing!
Count me in. WooHoo for the shout out about BBQ in Conway, AR!!
Your the best Boomama. I started blogging because of you! Your my imaginary BFF!! Great interview!
WOW! How awesome! Count me in the contest!
What a great interview! I enjoy hearing her music on the radio. Thanks for sharing!
Count me in….FOR SURE!!!! Love her! And great job on the interview….classic BOOMAMA style! Loved it!
count me in!!
Just L-O-V-E Mandissa! I really want to win this one!
(I am also participating in the DDOS carnival, so please stop by and enter to win at my site! Thanks!)
I knew I loved this girl! Now I know more, and to know more is to love more! Count me in for the lovely prizes. I can’t wait to read her book!
~TaunaLen
Awesome. I am on my way to get some double wear foundation right now!
Sign me up! Great interview. I read every word.
Sounds like her book would be very interesting to read. I didn’t watch AI when she was on & I’m not familiar with her singing. Sounds like she has a beautiful voice.
I love it! I worked at the same summer camp as Mandisa about 7 years ago. She would sing for the staff sometimes and blow us away. I was so frustrated when she got voted off of AI. I am so proud of her and the way she represents Christ! Count me in on the giveaway!
I LOVE Mandisa. I plan on buying the book and CD anyway if I don’t win it here!
Thanks.
Oh man! I’ve been wanting to read her book since it came out…sign me up!!
Please enter me too!
Thanks,
Heather
heather@pagesbyheather.com
Me! Me! Me!
I’ve got Shackles streaming in the background – that girl rocks. Please enter me!
What a wonderful interview!!!!!!! I would love a copy of her CD or book…I just adore her!
What a great testimony Mandisa gives! Thanks for sharing! Count me in, too.
Absolutely count me in!!!!
I would love the book or the CD.
Thank you, booMama!
What a great interview. I just love her and would love to have her book or CD!
Thanks!
Wow!! I liked her before and now I like her even more!! Wow! Thanks for sharing your interview, I can’t wait for Fridays installment.
Awesome work!
I do think that if you were asking the Southern questions accurately, you would have asked, “What kind of Coke do you like best?” but I know that’s confusing.
Please enter me! I got a copy of the single from EMI and it’s great.
Siesta, you do a great interview!
Love the LPL reference, we just finished Loving Well and it gave me chills to know that Boo Mama was in the AUDIENCE when my favorite Bible teacher was creating this study.
Many Thanks!
Cool prizes, great interview!
L
Okay…count me in gal!
Great interview!! And I would LOVE to win one of those prizes.
Thanks for the fun interview!!
I am most impressed with your interview techniques – you did ask all the right questions!
Please count me in on the drawing ;-)
Count me in!
Did you ever think this lil ol’ blawg would allow you to interview an American Idol contestant!!! How fun for you!
Just bought her book to read on my holiday and couldn’t put it down….another copy would make a great gift. Can’t wait for the CD…thanks for the giveaway!!!
Count me in, BooMama. And thanks for the great interview. By the way, I received my Monk & Neagle CD today. You rock!!!
Thank you…I love this! :)
I Looooooove Mandisa! Count me in!
Ohhhh, I hope I win as my DD 11 would looooove the prize package!!
Thanks for the interview….looking forward to part 2!
Loved the interview! So normal, so unpretentious, so southern! Thanks for keepin’ it real ;)
Would love to have a cd, so would my kids!
Mandisa is amazing! I would love to win! Please count me in on your great giveaway! Thanks! :o)
I so did not know Mandisa had a cd out!!!! I would LOVE to win one!
Truly a cool interview. I too have been a Mandesa fan since a LPL event–her version of Shackles cannot be matched. So glad to see God blessing her efforts and using her in a big way!
Ooo! Ooo! Pick me! Pick me!
LOVE IT! *THANK YOU!* for having such a COOL BLOG and doing something so NEAT for your readers! (((((HUGS))))) sandi