Alice Tan Ridley

Alice Tan Ridley is a gospel and R&B singer and the mother of film star Gabourey Sidibe, who starred in the 2009 hit film Precious and garnered great critical acclaim.

In 1992, Ridley started singing in the subway in New York. Her legendary subway performances of stopping people dead in their tracks and rocking the station resulted in a flurry of YouTube videos, now reaching over three million hits. She is known locally as the “New York City Subway Idol.”

Ridley is a master interpreter of lyrics with an emotional depth and charisma that is rare. She embodies a sriking combination of raw power, charm, sensuality, spirituality & pure funk.

Most recently, at the age of 58, she decided to take a leap of faith and audition for the show “Americas Got Talent.” Ridley’s raw power and charm immediately resonated with both the judges and the audience, and she was sent to Hollywood to compete in the finals. While she did not make it all the way to the end, she won the hearts of America and has built an unbelievable fan base.

Like Etta James, Diana Ross, and Tina Turner before her, Ridley is a long-lasting Goddess of Soul, with enough personality, talent, and a touch of funk to be a truly unforgettable performer.