Alice Tan Ridley, a gifted singer and mother to actress Gabourey Sidibe, has passed away at the age of 72. The news of her death was shared in an obituary, revealing that she died on March 25 in New York City. Ridley was not only known for being the mother of the acclaimed Precious star but also for her own remarkable talent as a singer.
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Originally from Georgia, Ridley was widely recognized for her powerful performances, often seen singing in the subways of New York. It was in 2010 that she gained national attention when she appeared on the popular television show ‘America’s Got Talent.’ Her rendition of “At Last” garnered praise from judge Piers Morgan, who described her as brilliant, while Howie Mandel applauded her progress on the show.
Born on December 21, 1952, Ridley was raised in a large family as the seventh of eight children. After graduating from Stewart County High School in 1969, she obtained her teaching license from the New York State Board of Education and went on to teach at PS 134. Ridley married Gabourey Sidibe’s father, Ibnou Sidibe, in 1980, and they welcomed both Gabourey and another son, Ahmed, before parting ways. Despite the separation, the former couple maintained an amicable relationship over the years.
Throughout her career, Ridley was a prominent figure in the New York City singing scene, often performing at Herald Square for over three decades and working as a paid singer at Harlem’s Cotton Club. In addition to her subway performances and her time on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ she made appearances on Showtime at the Apollo and in Dave Chappelle’s documentary ‘Rize’ in 2005. Ridley’s achievements included winning an Emmy for her role in the 2007 documentary ‘Military Families,’ and she released her debut studio album ‘Never Lost My Way’ in 2016.
Following her appearance on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ Ridley caught the attention of Israeli student Dvir Assouline, who became her manager, impressed by the large crowds she would draw during her subway performances. Reflecting on her impact, he shared how she brought joy to countless people each day with her music. Ridley is survived by her two brothers, James D. “Jimmy” Ridley and Tommy Lee “Tom-Tom” Cherry, two sisters, Julia Van Mater-Miller and Mildred Ridley Dent, as well as twin grandchildren Cooper and Maya, and numerous other relatives.
The passing of Alice Tan Ridley marks the end of a remarkable journey for a talented singer who touched the hearts of many with her soulful performances. Her legacy lives on through the memories she created and the joy she brought to her audiences. As the world mourns her loss, Ridley’s contributions to the music industry and her impact on those around her will be remembered for years to come.