Alice “Tan” Ridley, Gabourey Sidibe’s Mother, Dead at 72

Alice “Tan” Ridley, past contestant on America’s Got Talent and mother of actress Gabourey Sidibe, has died at the age of 72. According to an obituary published on Legacy, the singer passed away on March 25, 2025, in New York City.

Born in Georgia, Ridley was the seventh of eight children, and born on Dec. 21, 1952. After she graduated high school in 1969, she continued her education and eventually earned her teaching license from the New York State Board of Education and taught at PS 134. She married Ibnou Sidibe in 1980 and the couple had two children, Gabourey and Ahmed Sidibe.

Although Ridley had a career in education, she also pursued her dream of singing. Labeled in her obituary as a “pillar of the New York City singing circuit,” she performed at subway stations and as a paid singer at Harlem’s Cotton Club.

Additionally, she was a contestant at Showtime at the Apollo (2005), was featured in David LaChapelle’s award-winning documentary, Rize (2005), and was the winner on the first episode of 30 Seconds to Fame (2002). She also won an Emmy for her part in Military Families (2007).

In 2010, Ridley competed on season five of AGT, where she made it to the semifinals. Following her success on the series, Ridely went on to release her debut album, Never Lost My Way, in 2016.

“I’m not your young Mariah Carey, Beyoncé-type person,” explained Ridley to the New York Times in 2016. “I’m not pushing that sexuality. That’s not me! I just want to sing the songs I grew up on.”

Ridley is survived by Ahmed and Gabourey, two brothers, James D. “Jimmy” Ridley and Tommy Lee “Tom-Tom” Cherry, two sisters, Julia Van Mater- Miller and Mildred Ridley Dent, twin grandchildren, Cooper and Maya, and additional relatives.

VIBE sends our condolences to the family, friends, fans, and community of Alice “Tan” Ridley.