Alice Tan Ridley, the mom of American actress Gabourey Sidibe, has handed away. In line with an obituary launched by the household, she died on March 25, 2025, on the age of 72.
Ridley wasn’t simply often known as the mom of the Hollywood icon; she was a robust vocalist, a former instructor, and a recognized determine within the New York Metropolis subway music scene.
To honor the late songstress, listed below are 5 notable issues about Ridley.
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Alice Tan Ridley Was A Trainer Earlier than The Highlight Discovered Her
Alice Tan Ridley stuffed lecture rooms earlier than her voice stuffed subway stations and tv screens.
She was born in Georgia on December 21, 1952, and was the seventh of eight youngsters.
Ridley moved to New York and earned her educating license from the New York State Board of Schooling.
There, she labored as a particular schooling instructor in Brooklyn, the place she poured her coronary heart into serving to youngsters with disabilities.
Lengthy earlier than the world acknowledged her voice, Ridley’s college students knew her as somebody who believed of their potential, and that claims so much concerning the sort of individual she was.
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Alice Tan Ridley Was A Subway Singing Legend In New York
Ridley did not carry out in fancy live performance halls for over 30 years.
Her stage was on the subway platforms in New York Metropolis.
She was famously recognized for singing on the Herald Sq. station, the place passersby would cease to listen to her belt out soulful variations of classics like “I Will All the time Love You” and “My Coronary heart Will Go On.”
Ridley’s voice didn’t want a highlight to shine.
She created her personal whereas hustling underground within the metropolis.
Her performances have been usually recorded by strangers and shared on-line, which quickly turned her into a neighborhood legend earlier than she made it to nationwide TV.
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Alice Tan Ridley Stole The Present On ‘AGT’ And Different TV Reveals
Alice Tan Ridley lastly gained nationwide fame in 2010 when she auditioned for Season 5 of “America’s Bought Expertise.”
She stepped onto the stage and blew everybody away together with her breathtaking efficiency of “At Final” by Etta James.
The judges have been visibly shocked, with Choose Piers Morgan saying, “Alice is simply sensible.”
Together with her expertise and assist from followers again dwelling, Alice made it to the semi-finals, capturing hearts nationwide.
Nonetheless, that wasn’t her solely TV second. In 2002, she gained $25,000 on “30 Seconds to Fame” and even carried out on “Showtime on the Apollo.”
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Ridley appeared on TV screens once more in 2005, performing “Wonderful Grace” in David LaChapelle’s documentary “Rize” and “America the Lovely” within the 2005 movie “Heights.” Two years later, she gained an Emmy for her half within the 2007 documentary “Army Households.”
Regardless of being found later in life, Ridley’s expertise was simple and continued to shine at any time when she hit the stage.
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Ridley Launched Her First Album At 63
Most artists hope to launch an album of their twenties or thirties, however Alice did it at 63.
In 2016, she launched “By no means Misplaced My Approach,” a set of canopy songs and originals that mirrored her life’s journey, struggles, and victories.
Alice Tan Ridley’s album was a ravishing testomony to her journey, filled with emotion and fact.
The album’s title was good for her expertise, as she at all times discovered her manner again to her function.
Ridley Was A Loving Mom And Grandmother
Ridley actually made some exceptional achievements, however probably the most rewarding was motherhood.
She raised two youngsters, together with actress Sidibe and her son, Ahmed. In 2024, she grew to become a grandmother to twins Cooper and Maya, born to Sidibe and her husband Brandon Frankel.
Ridley’s dying would undoubtedly be troublesome for Sidibe to take care of as she was usually seen cheering her on at purple carpet occasions and by no means shied away from expressing how proud she was of the Oscar nominee’s achievements.
The 72-year-old’s love for her household was deep and fixed; that love will proceed to reside on in them.
The singer lived a life filled with resilience and expertise. She gave all the things she had, whether or not educating college students, performing within the subway, or singing on nationwide TV.
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Her journey from underground performer to celebrated vocalist impressed many, proving that zeal and persistence can take you far.
Although she is not alive, her voice and legacy proceed to resonate via the hearts of those that knew her and heard her sing.
