Alice Tan Ridley, Singer and Gabourey Sidibe’s Mom, Lifeless at 72

Alice Tan Ridley, the mom of actress Gabourey Sidibe, has died. She was 72.

In line with an obituary, she died on March 25 in New York Metropolis. 

Ridley was not simply recognized for being the mom of the award-winning Treasured star, 41, however was a pressure in her personal proper and considered a gifted singer. 

The Georgia native was referred to as a powerhouse performer, who may usually be seen singing in New York subways. In 2010, Ridley was nationally acknowledged for her present when she carried out on America’s Bought Expertise.

“Alice is simply sensible,” choose Piers Morgan stated after she sang “At Final.”

Howie Mandel appeared impressed by Ridley’s development on the singing competitors present, saying, “Each time she strikes on, it’s heartwarming and shifting.”

Ridley was born on Dec. 21, 1952, and got here from a giant household. She was the seventh of eight youngsters.

The singer graduated from the Stewart County Excessive College in 1969, and went on to get her educating license from the New York State Board of Schooling. She taught at PS 134, her obituary stated. 

Ridley married the Empire actress’ father, Ibnou Sidibe, in 1980, and welcomed Sidibe in 1983. The previous couple additionally welcomed son Ahmed Sidibe earlier than they in the end divorced. Nonetheless, the previous couple remained cordial because the years went on. 

In line with her obituary, Ridley was referred to as “a pillar of the New York Metropolis singing circuit,” the place she may primarily be seen singing at Herald Sq. for over 30 years.

She additionally labored at Harlem’s Cotton Membership as a paid singer.

Along with her subway performances and competing on AGT, Ridley additionally appeared on Showtime on the Apollo in 2005 and was featured in comic David Chapelle’s award-winning documentary Rize that very same yr.

Her accolades included an Emmy for her position within the 2007 documentary Navy Households. She launched her debut studio album By no means Misplaced My Approach in 2016.

Israeli scholar Dvir Assouline began managing Ridley in 2010 after witnessing the crowds she would attract subways. “Every time I noticed her performing, there have been at all times a whole lot of individuals round her,” he beforehand advised The Hollywood Reporter. “She introduced pleasure to so many individuals daily.”  

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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, together with twin grandchildren, Cooper and Maya, and a number of family.

Memorial Timber could be planted in reminiscence of Ridley and could be bought on the Sympathy Retailer, per her obituary.