Alice Tan Ridley, the mom of American actress Gabourey Sidibe, has handed away. In response to an obituary launched by the household, she died on March 25, 2025, on the age of 72.
Ridley wasn’t simply generally known as the mom of the Hollywood icon; she was a strong vocalist, a former trainer, 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 Instructor Earlier than The Highlight Discovered Her
Alice Tan Ridley crammed school rooms earlier than her voice crammed subway stations and tv screens.
She was born in Georgia on December 21, 1952, and was the seventh of eight kids.
Ridley moved to New York and earned her instructing license from the New York State Board of Schooling.
There, she labored as a particular schooling trainer in Brooklyn, the place she poured her coronary heart into serving to kids 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 in regards to the type 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 At all times 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 typically 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 Exhibits
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 surprised, with Decide Piers Morgan saying, “Alice is simply good.”
Along with her expertise and assist from followers again house, Alice made it to the semi-finals, capturing hearts nationwide.
Nevertheless, 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 “Superb 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 “Navy Households.”
Regardless of being found later in life, Ridley’s expertise was simple and continued to shine every time 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 Means,” a set of canopy songs and originals that mirrored her life’s journey, struggles, and victories.
Alice Tan Ridley’s album was a wonderful testomony to her journey, stuffed with emotion and fact.
The album’s title was good for her expertise, as she at all times discovered her method again to her goal.
Ridley Was A Loving Mom And Grandmother
Ridley actually made some outstanding achievements, however probably the most rewarding was motherhood.
She raised two kids, together with actress Sidibe and her son, Ahmed. In 2024, she turned a grandmother to twins Cooper and Maya, born to Sidibe and her husband Brandon Frankel.
Ridley’s loss of life would undoubtedly be tough for Sidibe to cope with as she was typically seen cheering her on at pink 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 dwell on in them.
The singer lived a life stuffed with resilience and expertise. She gave the whole lot she had, whether or not instructing 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 keenness and persistence can take you far.
Although she is not alive, her voice and legacy proceed to resonate by the hearts of those that knew her and heard her sing.
