Alice Tan Ridley dead: America's Got Talent singer and mum of Oscar-nominated actress dies

America’s Got Talent singer Alice Tan Ridley – who is the mum of Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe – has died aged 72. The singer, whose loved ones called her “Tan”, died back in March in New York, an online obituary said. Listing some of her accomplishments, it said she had been “a pillar of the New York City singing circuit”.

Although widely recognized as the mother of Precious star Gabourey Sidibe, Alice Tan Ridley carved out her own moment in the spotlight, capturing hearts during her 2010 appearance on America’s Got Talent.

Prior to her television debut, Ridley had been performing in New York City’s subway stations, where she found joy in the spontaneous connections her music sparked. As she once said, she “loved to see the smiles on people’s faces” while singing underground.

Her audition for the popular talent show left judges Sharon Osbourne, , and Howie Mandel thoroughly impressed. She performed the classic At Last with such soul and emotion that Howie exclaimed: “What an amazing voice!” while Piers praised her “raw talent.”

Sharon, captivated by the strength and beauty of her voice, questioned how such talent had gone unnoticed for so long: “Alice, millions of people must have gone back and forth on that subway over the 20 years. How come nobody signed you?”

Ridley’s powerful presence carried her all the way to the semi-finals of the competition, although the season ultimately crowned singer-songwriter Michael Grimm the winner. Following her success on the show, she released an album titled Never Lost My Way.

Outside of television, Ridley had a long history with live performance, frequently gracing the stage at Harlem’s famed Cotton Club. Her obituary noted that she was also "a regular singer with her family members in the New York subway station."

Throughout her career, Ridley received various accolades, including an Emmy Award in 2007 for her contribution to Military Families. She was also featured in the 2005 documentary Rize by comedian David Chappelle, competed on Showtime at the Apollo, and made an appearance on 30 Seconds to Fame.

In her personal life, Ridley married Ibnou Sidibe in 1980. The couple had two children together - Gabourey and her brother - before eventually parting ways and divorcing.

Gabourey Sidibe made a powerful entrance into the of film with her breakout role in 2009’s Precious, portraying Claireece “Precious” Jones, a young girl in Harlem navigating unimaginable hardship. Her portrayal was met with critical acclaim and earned her nominations for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.

Now 41, Gabourey has continued to build an impressive career, starring in films such as Antebellum and White Bird in a Blizzard, and taking on major roles in television series like Empire and American Horror Story.

Off-screen, life has become even more full for the actress—she and her husband Brandon Frankel recently became parents to twins, a boy and a girl, who arrived last year.

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