Former American Idol finalist Mandisa and her single "Only the World" continues to soar in the charts in the United States, sitting at #2 for the Billboard Overall Single Sales alongside Beyonce last week.

Mandisa recently made an appearance at the CBS Early Show Weekend Second Cup Café and Fox & Friends.

Her debut album will release 31 July on Sparrow Records.

Entertainment Weekly wrote "It's all about Mandisa!" early in season five as she competed alongside other standout contestants including Taylor Hicks, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin.

"If you weren't doing a little bit of couch dancing when 'Disa cut loose on the piping hot arrangement (of Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman"), then you'd better check the cushions for your soul."

Mandisa says, "My faith certainly went through some tests of fire, but it's stronger because of American Idol. I came out of that experience understanding Jesus better. I had been sheltered in Christian circles for a while, and AI helped me realise the kind of impact that Christians can make in the world around them."

Mandisa's forthcoming album features a dynamic team of producers including Shannon Sanders and Andrew Ramsey (India.Arie), Christopher Stevens (TobyMac), Shaun Shankel (Amy Grant), Double Dutch, and Brown Bannister.