Mandisa

• Birth name: Mandisa Lynn Hundley
• Date of birth: October 2, 1976
• Hometown: Citrus Heights, California
• Currently resides: Antioch, Tennessee
• Placement on Season 5 of "Idol": Ninth
• Debut album: "True Beauty"
• Autobiography: "Idoleyes"
• Sang backup for: Trisha Yearwood and Shania Twain

Longtime viewers of "American Idol" will remember when the show's famously caustic judge, Simon Cowell, would regularly criticize plus-size contestants about their weight. Former finalist Mandisa quite possibly changed all that in 2006 when she was on the show's fifth season. She was able to accomplish what few "Idol" contestants have been able to do: get Cowell to apologize for his insults about her physical appearance. And these days, although Cowell hasn't softened his abrasive persona overall, he's virtually stopped making rude comments about contestants' size.

With "American Idol" behind her, Mandisa is embarking on a new phase in her life. She is a spokesmodel for retail chain Ashley Stewart, and the singer's first album, "True Beauty" (on EMI's Sparrow Records), arrives on July 31. "Only the World," first single from the album, has already been a number-one hit on Billboard's singles sales chart. In addition, the 30-year-old recently published an autobiography from Tyndale called "Idoleyes," in which she candidly discusses such personal issues as her food addiction, battles with low self-esteem, being a rape survivor and how she dealt with an "American Idol" controversy that she says nearly crippled her psychologically.

Mandisa tells LifetimeTV.com why she decided to bare her soul so openly in her book: "First and foremost was because of my faith in God. I feel like [writing this book] was therapeutic for me. There were times when I was writing that I was crying on my keyboard. But as a result, I think there are going to be some women who will be changed because I talked so openly about my issues."

As for all the criticism Mandisa received while she was on "Idol," she reveals that what hurt her the most was when she was accused of being homophobic because of a remark she made on the show about breaking free of a lifestyle.

"It tossed me into a very deep depression," Mandisa says of the controversy. "There was a bit of a campaign to get me eliminated by a population that thought I hated gay people. People thought that when I said 'lifestyle' I was referring to the homosexual lifestyle when I was actually referring to people saying that if you're overweight you should have a lifestyle change. The fact of the matter is that I don't hate anybody. I have several friends who are gay and I don't treat them any differently than I would anybody else."

She continues, "That was a big part of why I wanted to write the book. I wanted to set the record straight because there were so many things said about me that have followed me from 'American Idol.' My other message, which is one that I think women are coming to terms with in America, is that we are so much more than what we look like on the outside. Our outside is not what makes us valuable. A lot of women have told me that they can identify with that, which is why I've been so vocal about it."

Mandisa says she also doesn't want people to think that her life has been one long road of misery. She describes herself as a fun-loving, generous person who has a playful side. For instance, one of her favorite experiences was the "American Idol" tour she did last year with her fellow finalists.

"The guys had one bus and the girls had another," Mandisa says. "The girls would do prank calls, like call Wal-Mart one night and order Chinese food. We were always watching movies and making each other laugh. Bucky Covington, Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry and Ace Young were the biggest partiers. They were having a good time on the tour, and let's just leave it at that."

Which "Idol" finalist made Mandisa laugh the most on tour? "Kellie Pickler. Let's just say that what people saw on the show [about Kellie] was not an act."

Mandisa adds with a laugh, "It's OK for me to say this because she talks about this all the time and she's not ashamed to talk about it, but the girl has more gas than anyone I've ever met. She has no problem passing gas in the smallest quarters, and she can burp like a sailor. She looks very dainty, but there's something very raw about her."

"American Idol" fans may also be surprised to learn that one of Mandisa's good friends is "Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle. The two pals kept in touch during Doolittle's process on the show. Mandisa says, "I've known Melinda since 2002. We sang background together in Nashville. She's an amazing performer. I started out giving her tips when she was on the show. But then I saw her onstage, and she doesn't need any advice from me. I'm so proud of her."

As for advice for anyone struggling with eating disorders or body issues, Mandisa offers: "Take it one day at a time. The more you focus on being healthy and not being a particular size or weight, your body will get to where it's supposed to be. You'll be much more content and happier if you focus on that."

Read our review of "Idoleyes."