Joanne Borgella, who competed on the seventh season of American Idol, passed away on Saturday after a battle with cancer. She was 32.

Joanne Borgella Dies

Borgella’s family announced her death 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."

Borgella was first in the spotlight when she competed on the plus-size model competition Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance in 2005. The appearance on the reality TV show led to Borgella landing modeling gigs for Ashley Stewart, Macy's and Nordstrom. She also went on to create her own clothing and jewelry line and appear on NUVOtv’s Curvy Girls.

"All of us at NUVOtv are deeply saddened at the news of Joanne Borgella's passing,” NUVOtv spokeswoman Diane Castro said. “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.”

Borgella, who made it into the top 24 on American Idol in 2008, announced her cancer diagnosis last year. In the announcement, which she made through a YouTube video, she revealed that her throat cancer had spread to her chest. Since then, Borgella had been documenting her treatment. Her last update, posted in September, indicated that she was going back to radiation for a pair of procedures.