Alice Tan Ridley, Gabourey Sidibe's Mom, Rocks! See Her Subway Performances

By Zach Dionne Posted Jun 16th 2010 11:28AM

Before absolutely owning her 'America's Got Talent' audition last night, Alice Tan Ridley had only a few claims to fame: She's the 58-year-old mother of Oscar-nominated 'Precious' star Gabourey Sidibe, and she's a dedicated New York City subway performer.

"My daughter is a big star, but I'm still pursuing my dream, which is to become a great singer," Ridley said on the show. And sing great she did -- hard-to-please Piers Morgan deemed her the best audition of the day after her showstopping rendition of Etta James' 'At Last.'

Before her popularity explodes, Susan Boyle-style, in the next phases of 'Got Talent,' here's a look at Ridley's terrific subway performances, culled from nearly 100 YouTube selections. Whether she's bopping around and including spectators or simply sitting and letting her voice do the work, Alice Tan Ridley is one seriously passionate, talented performer. Our favorite videos, after the jump!

"My name is not on Gabby's paycheck," the singer told the New York Post. "When I come home at the end of the day, I have enough to pay my bills and feed my kids," she said. "People always say, 'Why don't you sing in clubs?' I tell 'em, 'This is my club.'"

Without further ado, here are some of her best subway performances:

Tina Turner's 'What's Love Got to Do With It'

Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive'

Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Proud Mary'

Gladys Knight's 'Midnight Train to Georgia'

Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love of All'

Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean'

"This is what I've been pursuing all my life. I love singing in the subway. I love to see the smiles on people's faces," Ridley said before her TV performance last night. "Maybe this is it -- from the subway to the big stage."

Here's hoping! See Alice's 'America's Got Talent' performance:

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Tags: Alice Tan Ridley, Americas Got Talent, Gabourey Sidibe

Comments

(13)

Wednesday 16 June

By Julie Z

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I would like to be one of the first to purchase Alice's CD! That women was fabulous! Sign her ASAP! Dont wait till the end of Americas Got Talent! The world is waiting...Please NY! please share Alice's talent with rest of the world!!!

By Channin grasshopper Ng

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Where is Terry Moore? HELP!

By April

Wow, at first I thought maybe this was just a joke....but she sounds really good...and in a subway at that! Good luck!

By lovetmd98

She sounded awesome! How is it she was performing in the subway for all these years without having been discovered!?

By Kathleen

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Alice is Fabulous!! A natural, love, love, love it. Sign , seal and deliver that songtress to the world!

By J C

ELLEN, Sign her up now to your new recording label

By naed

I saw Alice on AGT and was taken aback. I don't buy many CDs, but, she would be an investment. I didn't see her daughter's movie but have seen her on a number of interview programs. She is simply a charmer. I want to hear and see more of both of them, they are truly entertaining.

By xxrosexofxsharyn

She's very good and the audition really was the best one that night.

By Joy

Please please somebody sign her up and release a cd/album stat; I will be waiting in line to buy it -- will also buy tickets to a concert; she has incredible stage presence -- in short, she rocks!!!

Thursday 17 June

By Jealettab

She didn't give up when she was ignored (she kept smiling.)
I am in shock!!!! There are no words to say how great she is!!!
What a gal!!!!
Jealetta Brinson

By Judy

My son wanted me to see America's got talent. He told me I needed to see this woman singing Etta James "AT LAST". When Alice started to sing..I was blown away. I can't wait to hear more of her. Sign her up!!!

By 67683bd2

GOOD LORD ... where's Oprah? On vacation? Give this angel her start and let us all get on with enjoying her gift!!!

Tuesday 12 October

By Catherine Hand

I have tried to buy a CD of hers without success. Ordered from her website, but never received. When is a professional agent going to produce and handle her work so we can buy it?

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