Ridley sang in New York City subways before breaking out with a performance on ‘America’s Got Talent’ in 2010
Alice Tan Ridley, the mother of actress Gabourey Sidibe, has died. She was 72.
According to an obituary, she died on March 25 in New York City.
Ridley was not just known for being the mother of the award-winning Precious star, 41, but was a force in her own right and regarded as a talented singer.
The Georgia native was known as a powerhouse performer, who could often be seen singing in New York subways. In 2010, Ridley was nationally recognized for her gift when she performed on America’s Got Talent.
“Alice is just brilliant,” judge Piers Morgan said after she sang “At Last.”
Howie Mandel seemed impressed by Ridley’s progression on the singing competition show, saying, “Every time she moves on, it’s heartwarming and moving.”
Ridley was born on Dec. 21, 1952, and came from a big family. She was the seventh of eight children.
The singer graduated from the Stewart County High School in 1969, and went on to get her teaching license from the New York State Board of Education. She taught at PS 134, her obituary said.
Ridley married the Empire actress’ father, Ibnou Sidibe, in 1980, and welcomed Sidibe in 1983. The former couple also welcomed son Ahmed Sidibe before they ultimately divorced. Still, the former couple remained cordial as the years went on.
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According to her obituary, Ridley was known as “a pillar of the New York City singing circuit,” where she could primarily be seen singing at Herald Square for over 30 years.
She also worked at Harlem’s Cotton Club as a paid singer.
In addition to her subway performances and competing on AGT, Ridley also appeared on Showtime at the Apollo in 2005 and was featured in photographer David LaChapelle’s award-winning documentary Rize that same year.
Her accolades included an Emmy for her role in the 2007 documentary Military Families. She released her debut studio album Never Lost My Way in 2016.
Israeli student Dvir Assouline started managing Ridley in 2010 after witnessing the crowds she would draw in subways. “Whenever I saw her performing, there were always hundreds of people around her,” he previously told The Hollywood Reporter. “She brought joy to so many people every day.”
Ridley is survived by two brothers — James D. “Jimmy” Ridley and Tommy Lee “Tom-Tom” Cherry — and two sisters, Julia Van Mater-Miller and Mildred Ridley Dent, along with twin grandchildren, Cooper and Maya, and a host of relatives.
Memorial Trees can be planted in memory of Ridley and can be purchased at the Sympathy Store, per her obituary.
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