A beloved New York City subway singer who was launched into stardom on “America’s Got Talent” has died at age 72.
Alice Tan Ridley, the mother of Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe, died on March 25 in New York City.
Her death was confirmed by her loved ones, including the “Precious” actress, 41, in an obituary published by Sconiers Funeral Home in Columbus, Ga.
No cause of death was announced.
Born on Dec. 21, 1952, the NYC native graduated from the Stewart County High School in 1969 before she obtained her teaching license from the New York State Board of Education.
Ridley then kickstarted a career as a special education teacher in Brooklyn.
In 1980, she married Ibnou Sidibe. The pair went on to welcome the “Empire” actress in 1983, as well as son Ahmed.
The duo ultimately divorced, but remained on good terms in the years after their split, the obituary added.
Ridley was remembered as a “pillar of the New York City singing circuit” after spending more than three decades busking at Herald Square’s subway station.
She later began singing in the subway for tips, performing power ballads like “I Will Always Love You,” “I Will Survive” and “My Heart Will Go On.”
Ridley later managed to land a paid singing gig at Harlem’s Cotton Club, before winning $25,000 on the 2002 pilot of Fox’s “30 Seconds to Fame” and later appearing on “Showtime at the Apollo.”
She appeared on TV screens again in 2005 performing “Amazing Grace” in David LaChapelle’s documentary “Rize,” as well as “America the Beautiful” in the 2005 film “Heights.”
Ridley went on to win an Emmy for her part in the 2007 documentary “Military Families.”
In 2010, Ridley put her vocal talent to the test by auditioning for “America’s Got Talent.”
Her cover of Etta James’ “At Last” propelled her all the way to the semi-finals.
Judge Howie Mandel was taken aback by Ridley’s singing abilities, saying at the time, “Every time she moves on, it’s heartwarming and moving.”
Following her stints on TV, Ridley released her debut album, titled “Never Lost My Way,” in 2016.
The album proved to be a streaming hit, but didn’t stop her from returning to performing in the subway.
In 2018 she began to suffer from dementia — which prompted her to hit the brakes on her career and subsequently retire, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Ridley is survived by her two children, grandchildren, her two brothers, two sisters, and other relatives.
