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Alice Tan Ridley: Gabourey Sidibe's mom on 'America's Got Talent'
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When Alice Tan Ridley arrived to audition for "America's Got Talent," host Nick Cannon recognized her. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" he asked.Yes, he did. Ridley is the mother of "Precious" star (and all-around awesome chick) Gabourey Sidibe.
In fact, before Sidibe was attached to the role of "Precious," Ridley was considered for the role of Precious' mother, which ultimately won Mo'Nique a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
"My daughter is a big star but I'm still pursuing my dream which is to become a great singer," Ridley says. Unlike her daughter, who has hosted "Saturday Night Live" and who will star in the new Showtime series "The Big C" this fall, Ridley never got her big break.
"I've been singing since I was young. Now I am singing underground, in the subway stations. I love singing in the subway. I love to see the smiles on peoples' faces. This is what I've been pursuing all my life. Maybe this is it, from the subway to the big stage."
With that kind of passion and dedication, she couldn't be denied. Ridley blew the judges away with her rendition of "At Last," which was so powerful that Sharon Osbourne bowed down to her.
"Millions of people must've gone back and forth on that subway over the 20 years," Osbourne boggled. "How come nobody signed you?"
Howie Mandel agreed. "You deserve to be heard by much more than everybody on the trains. You are wonderful." Even Piers Morgan said, "In terms of raw talent, best audition of the day."
After the three "yes" votes were counted, Osbourne announced, "It's my honor to say you're going to Vegas." Like the judges, we were blown away by her audition, but even more impressive are the videos of Ridley singing in subway stations. She belts it out impeccably even while she's busy handing out fliers.
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God Bless. Goodness knows how many of us walked by, taking for granted her gift. It's hard b/c usually when you hear these musicians, you are usually running late to work, date, home, etc, or it is on the actual train and you just want to zone out for a few. I would take hearing her sing over being preached to by crazies any day of the week. Good luck to her!
I heard her audition on TV just now. I played it SEVERAL times. It was fantastic. I cannot believe she is not a recording artist. She is just amazing. She gets my vote NOW.
Like daughter...like mother. Both are amazing. The future looks bright for both.
She is just beautiful with her genuine and loving nature, she will go far! I was in tears and so happy for her, I look forward to hearing more of her music and beautiful voice!
Fantastic! A favorite song of mine, anyway... simply beautiful!
Instant "Chills"..Alice is blessed with a hauntingly Beautiful voice..This lady should be making music for the masses..I only wished I still lived in New York..I believe I would follow her where ever she took the "Train"..This singer is meant to Travel
YOU KNOW HOW UGLY SHE IS. THATS WHY SHE NEVER GETS A BRAKE. YUCK!!!
NOONE WANTS TO GIVE RECORD DEALS TO TRAINWRECKS.
This show is a complete joke anymore. Howie never x's the really bad acts and sits there with a smile that he likes the horrible acts.
How on earth do you let the red head granny & the 90 yr old so called illusionist through but you stop the talented asian kids
it may be time to cancel this show
Fried chicken baby....she keeps me in business....
She is amazing! The best! However I agree with "How on earth do you let the red head granny & the 90 yr old so called illusionist through" that is just ridiculous. I understand they have to have someone bad to be eliminated later, but this was too much. The asian girl was very good, she could move foward and be eliminated later. People forget one thing, this is a competition for a Las Vegas show, who would pay to see the red head lady and the illusionist, or the litle asian girls? It is Las Vegas....