Precious actress Gabourey Sidibe’s mother Alice Tan Ridley, who sang her way to the semi-finals on US TV series America’s Got Talent back in 2010, has passed away
America’s Got Talent singer Alice Tan Ridley – the mum of Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe – has died aged 72.
The singer, whose loved ones called her “Tan”, passed away 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”.
While she was known for being the mother of Precious star Gabourey, the singer also experienced fame herself when she was a contestant on America’s Got Talent in 2010. Ridley had been singing in subways before she tried out, explaining that she “loved to see the smiles on people’s faces” as she performed for them.
She auditioned for judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and Howie Mandel, blowing them away with her performance of At Last. “What an amazing voice!” Howie said, as Piers remarked on her “raw talent”.
Sharon was dazzled by her powerful vocals, asking: “Alice, millions of people must have gone back and forth on that subway over the 20 years. How come nobody signed you?”
She made it to the semi-final of the series, which was won by singer-songwriter Michael Grimm. Ridley later went on to release an album, entitled Never Lost My Way.
Her obit said that she performed at The Harlem’s Cotton Club for many years. She was also “a regular singer with her family members in the New York subway station”.
Ridley won many awards during her career, including an Emmy for her part in Military Families in 2007, and was in comedian David Chapelle’s 2005 documentary, Rize. She was once a contestant at Showtime at the Apollo and also appeared on the series 30 Seconds to Fame.
She married Gabourey’s father Ibnou Sidibe in 1980. They had two children – the actress and her brother – before calling time on their relationship and divorcing.
Gabourey got her big break in 2009 in Precious. She made her movie debut in the film, wowing everyone with her performance as Claireece Precious Jones, a teen in Harlem dealing with poverty and abuse.
The actress, now 41, was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award and went on to land roles in other movies such as Antebellum and White Bird in a Blizzard. She has also starred in several TV series, including Empire and American Horror Story.
The star also has another busy job these days, as the mum of twins. The actress and her husband Brandon Frankel welcomed boy/girl twins last year.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
