Alice Tan Ridley, the soulful singer known for her standout performances on America’s Got Talent and mother of actress Gabourey Sidibe, has died at the age of 72. Her death occurred on March 25 in New York, according to a family announcement. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Born Alice Ann Ridley on December 21, 1952, in Charles Junction (now Lumpkin), Georgia, she was one of eight siblings. She moved to New York in 1971 to work as a teacher for special-needs children. Known affectionately as “Tan,” she shifted her focus to music in 1992, becoming a well-known presence in New York City subways, performing at stations like Union Square and Times Square.
Her powerful vocals and street performances caught the attention of passersby and online audiences, eventually leading to national exposure. In 2010, Ridley auditioned for America’s Got Talent with a soaring rendition of Etta James’ “At Last,” reaching the semifinals of Season 5.
Prior to that breakout moment, she had won the first episode of Fox’s 30 Seconds to Fame in 2002 and appeared on Showtime at the Apollo in 2005. Her voice was also featured in the film Heights and David LaChapelle’s dance documentary Rize.
In 2016, Ridley released her debut studio album Never Lost My Way and continued to perform internationally until retiring in 2018 due to health concerns.
She is survived by her daughter Gabourey Sidibe, son Ahmed Sidibe, brothers James D. Ridley and Tommy Lee Cherry, sisters Julia Van Mater-Miller and Mildred Ridley Dent, two grandchildren, and extended family.
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