5 Stunning Facts About Her Life After Death

Alice Tan Ridley, the mother of American actress Gabourey Sidibe, has passed away. According to an obituary released by the family, she died on March 25, 2025, at the age of 72.

Ridley wasn’t just known as the mother of the Hollywood icon; she was a powerful vocalist, a former teacher, and a known figure in the New York City subway music scene.

To honor the late songstress, here are five notable things about Ridley.

Alice Tan Ridley filled classrooms before her voice filled subway stations and television screens.

She was born in Georgia on December 21, 1952, and was the seventh of eight children.

Ridley moved to New York and earned her teaching license from the New York State Board of Education.

There, she worked as a special education teacher in Brooklyn, where she poured her heart into helping children with disabilities.

Long before the world recognized her voice, Ridley’s students knew her as someone who believed in their potential, and that says a lot about the kind of person she was.

Ridley didn’t perform in fancy concert halls for over 30 years.

Her stage was on the subway platforms in New York City.

She was famously known for singing at the Herald Square station, where passersby would stop to hear her belt out soulful versions of classics like “I Will Always Love You” and “My Heart Will Go On.”

Ridley’s voice didn’t need a spotlight to shine.

She created her own while hustling underground in the city.

Her performances were often recorded by strangers and shared online, which soon turned her into a local legend before she made it to national TV.

Alice Tan Ridley finally gained nationwide fame in 2010 when she auditioned for Season 5 of “America’s Got Talent.”

She stepped onto the stage and blew everyone away with her breathtaking performance of “At Last” by Etta James.

The judges were visibly stunned, with Judge Piers Morgan saying, “Alice is just brilliant.”

With her talent and support from fans back home, Alice made it to the semi-finals, capturing hearts nationwide.

However, that wasn’t her only TV moment. In 2002, she won $25,000 on “30 Seconds to Fame” and even performed on “Showtime at the Apollo.”

Ridley appeared on TV screens again in 2005, performing “Amazing Grace” in David LaChapelle’s documentary “Rize” and “America the Beautiful” in the 2005 film “Heights.” Two years later, she won an Emmy for her part in the 2007 documentary “Military Families.”

Despite being discovered later in life, Ridley’s talent was undeniable and continued to shine whenever she hit the stage.

Most artists hope to release an album in their twenties or thirties, but Alice did it at 63.

In 2016, she released “Never Lost My Way,” a collection of cover songs and originals that reflected her life’s journey, struggles, and victories.

Alice Tan Ridley’s album was a beautiful testament to her journey, full of emotion and truth.

The album’s title was perfect for her experience, as she always found her way back to her purpose.

Ridley certainly made some remarkable achievements, but the most rewarding was motherhood.

She raised two children, including actress Sidibe and her son, Ahmed. In 2024, she became a grandmother to twins Cooper and Maya, born to Sidibe and her husband Brandon Frankel.

Ridley’s death would undoubtedly be difficult for Sidibe to deal with as she was often seen cheering her on at red carpet events and never shied away from expressing how proud she was of the Oscar nominee’s achievements.

The 72-year-old’s love for her family was deep and constant; that love will continue to live on in them.

The singer lived a life full of resilience and talent. She gave everything she had, whether teaching students, performing in the subway, or singing on national TV.

Her journey from underground performer to celebrated vocalist inspired many, proving that passion and persistence can take you far.

Though she is no longer alive, her voice and legacy continue to resonate through the hearts of those who knew her and heard her sing.