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Gabourey Sidibe’s Mom, Alice Tan Ridley, Passes Away at 72
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Alice Tan Ridley Passes Away at 72, Mother of Gabourey Sidibe

Alice Tan Ridley, renowned for her appearance on ‘America’s Got Talent’ and as the beloved mother of Gabourey Sidibe, has sadly passed away. Her obituary reveals that she left this world last month at the age of 72, though the circumstances surrounding her death have not been disclosed publicly as of now.

Beyond being a devoted mother, Ridley was a celebrated subway singer in New York City, captivating audiences before she astonished the judges with her remarkable audition on ‘America’s Got Talent.’ Interestingly, she also declined a significant opportunity to portray her daughter’s on-screen mother in the acclaimed film ‘Precious.’

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Remembering Sidibe’s Beloved Mother: Alice Tan Ridley

Although specific details regarding Ridley’s passing remain scarce, reports from PEOPLE state that she died on March 25 in New York City. Her memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, in Columbus, Georgia, as noted by Legacy. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church in Louvre, Georgia, a place significant to her family.

While Sidibe has not yet publicly addressed her mother’s passing on social media, she has previously shared her thoughts about their relationship in past interviews and her 2017 memoir, This Is Just My Face: Try Not To Stare. In her book, she elaborated on how her mother, along with her father, Ibnou Sidibe, nurtured her and her brother Ahmed while they were growing up in New York after relocating from Georgia in the 1970s.

Alice Tan Ridley’s Bold Decision: Declining On-Screen Role in ‘Precious’

While Ridley was known for her incredible vocal talent, she also held a deep passion for teaching children, a profession she committed to for a lifetime, as expressed by her daughter. Sidibe’s mother cherished education so much that she turned down the opportunity to portray her on-screen mother in the 2009 film ‘Precious’, a role that was ultimately filled by Mo’Nique. Her reason? Despite the film presenting a significant opportunity for her career, she was unwilling to portray a character with a ruthless nature, as she feared it might influence her students’ perceptions of her true character.

“My mom’s always been a teacher,” Gabourey shared with NPR regarding Ridley’s choice to reject the role. “She didn’t want any of those kids that she helped to raise to think that that’s who she was.”

While Mo’Nique delivered a powerful performance that earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Sidibe recognizes her mother’s influence in shaping her own journey in the industry. Ridley was instrumental in introducing Sidibe to the book ‘Push,’ which served as the basis for the award-winning film.

“I think part of why Lee liked me was because of my connection to my mother,” the actress remarked. “And in turn, part of why ‘America’s Got Talent’ appreciated my mom was her connection to me. I feel I was able to give her something, and she certainly gave me something invaluable in return.”

Alice Tan Ridley’s Memorable Journey on ‘America’s Got Talent’

After establishing her career as a dedicated teacher in New York City, Ridley didn’t just limit her talents to the classroom; she also took to the subway, where she shared her beautiful voice with commuters as a side hustle, earning a living while doing what she loved.

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Her passion for music eventually led her to audition for ‘America’s Got Talent’ during Season 5 in 2010. After years of enchanting subway riders with her captivating performances, she took the stage and sang Etta James’ timeless classic ‘At Last,’ leaving the judges in awe and earning unanimous “Yes” votes that sent her straight to the Vegas Round.

She excelled through to the Top 48, showcasing her remarkable talent with an outstanding rendition of ‘Proud Mary’ in Vegas, which secured her a coveted spot in the Semifinals.

For her final performance in the semifinal round, Ridley delivered a powerful rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing,’ which garnered praise from Piers Morgan, who remarked that it was a “great beginning” for her journey. Unfortunately, she was eliminated after Piers and Sharon Osbourne chose to advance Studio One Young Beast Society over her, bringing her impressive run to an end just before the finals.

May her soul rest in peace.

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Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.

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