( CNN ) -- Singer and model Joanne Borgella , an `` American Idol '' contestant in 2008 , died on Saturday at age 32 after a battle with cancer , her family said on her Facebook page . `` With heavy hearts , we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Joanne , '' the family wrote . `` Although our family is suffering with this great loss , we find comfort in the closeness Joanne shared with the Lord . We know her spirit still shines and will continue to live on in heaven . '' The New York-born Haitian-American entertainer made it to the top 24 of `` American Idol 's '' seventh season , three years after appearing on `` Mo'Nique 's Fat Chance , '' a contest for plus-size models . She went on to model professionally for brands such as Ashley Stewart , Macy 's and Nordstrom , and created her own jewelry and plus-size clothing line . She also appeared on `` Curvy Girls , '' which airs on English-language Latino network NUVOtv . `` All of us at NUVOtv are deeply saddened at the news of Joanne Borgella 's passing . We are thankful to have known such a courageous woman with a beautiful voice who brought passion , faith and heart to everything she did . Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very difficult time , '' NUVOtv spokeswoman Diane Castro said . Borgella went public with her throat cancer diagnosis last year in a YouTube video , telling fans that it had spread to her chest . Since then she has documented her treatment on Facebook . After news of her passing spread , fans flooded her page with tributes , calling her a role model and inspiration for plus-size women and aspiring performers . As one fan said , `` Thank you for showing the world plus size is beautiful . '' People we 've lost in 2014 .
Singer and model Joanne Borgella dies after battle with cancer . Borgella made it to top 24 of `` American Idol '' season 7 . Borgella went on to model professionally and create her own jewelry and clothing lines . Score: 6