Alice Tan Ridley
Encyclopedia
Alice Tan Ridley is a gospel and R&B singer and the mother of Gabourey Sidibe
. She auditioned on the NBC series America's Got Talent
. Prior to joining America's Got Talent, Alice also appeared in the television show 30 Seconds To Fame
, winning $25,000 in the pilot episode.
in Harlem
. She has been singing and busking
in the subway stations for about 20 years.
Alice's daughter, Gabourey Sidibe, starred in the 2009 hit film Precious, and garnered great critical acclaim.
of America's Got Talent
. She auditioned with Etta James'
hit song "At Last
". She was praised by all three judges and advanced to Vegas Week. Her daughter, Gabourey Sidibe, later stated that she was "very proud of her." In Vegas Week, she was selected to move on to the Top 48, alongside fellow singer Debra Romer. On July 20, Alice performed "Midnight Train to Georgia
" by Gladys Knight
. She received a standing ovation from the crowd and the judges, and was praised for her performance. She had advanced to the semi-finals, advancing with AscenDance, Michael Grimm
, and Antonio Restivo. Her semifinal performance of "I Have Nothing
" was the first performance of the twelve of the night, with Piers Morgan
calling it a great beginning for the show. When placed against Studio One Young Beast Society in the final moments of the results show the next night, both Sharon and Piers opted for Studio One, and effectively ended Ridley's time on America's Got Talent.
Gabourey Sidibe
Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe is an American actress who made her acting debut in the 2009 film Precious, a role that brought her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.-Early life:...
. She auditioned on the NBC series America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent is an American reality television series on the NBC television network, and part of the global British Got Talent franchise. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of...
. Prior to joining America's Got Talent, Alice also appeared in the television show 30 Seconds To Fame
30 Seconds To Fame
30 Seconds To Fame is an American television series that was shown on the Fox Network from July 17, 2002 to June 26, 2003, featuring a talent show where acts could only last up to 30 seconds each, regardless of any resolution to the act...
, winning $25,000 in the pilot episode.
Early life
Alice raised her two children Ahmed and GaboureyGabourey Sidibe
Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe is an American actress who made her acting debut in the 2009 film Precious, a role that brought her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.-Early life:...
in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
. She has been singing and busking
Busking
Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities, which are generally in the form of money and edibles...
in the subway stations for about 20 years.
Alice's daughter, Gabourey Sidibe, starred in the 2009 hit film Precious, and garnered great critical acclaim.
Overview
Alice auditioned in New York for the fifth seasonAmerica's Got Talent (season 5)
The fifth season of America's Got Talent, an American television reality show talent competition, premiered in the United States on the NBC network and on Canada's Global on June 1, 2010...
of America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent
America's Got Talent is an American reality television series on the NBC television network, and part of the global British Got Talent franchise. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of...
. She auditioned with Etta James'
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
hit song "At Last
At Last
"At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives, starring George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday...
". She was praised by all three judges and advanced to Vegas Week. Her daughter, Gabourey Sidibe, later stated that she was "very proud of her." In Vegas Week, she was selected to move on to the Top 48, alongside fellow singer Debra Romer. On July 20, Alice performed "Midnight Train to Georgia
Midnight Train to Georgia
"Midnight Train to Georgia" is a 1973 number-one hit single by Gladys Knight & the Pips, their second release after departing Motown Records for Buddah Records...
" by Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
. She received a standing ovation from the crowd and the judges, and was praised for her performance. She had advanced to the semi-finals, advancing with AscenDance, Michael Grimm
Michael Grimm (singer)
Michael Joseph Grimm is an American singer/songwriter and winner of the fifth season of America's Got Talent.-Personal life:...
, and Antonio Restivo. Her semifinal performance of "I Have Nothing
I Have Nothing
"I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston and released as the third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album on February 20, 1993 by Arista Records. The song was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, and produced by Foster...
" was the first performance of the twelve of the night, with Piers Morgan
Piers Morgan
Piers Stefan Pughe-Morgan , known professionally as Piers Morgan, is a British journalist and television presenter. He is editorial director of First News, a national newspaper for children....
calling it a great beginning for the show. When placed against Studio One Young Beast Society in the final moments of the results show the next night, both Sharon and Piers opted for Studio One, and effectively ended Ridley's time on America's Got Talent.
Performances and results
| Week | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Performance order | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | New York | "At Last At Last "At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives, starring George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday... " |
Etta James Etta James Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer... |
N/A | Safe |
| Vegas Week | Female Singers | "Proud Mary" | Creedence Clearwater Revival Creedence Clearwater Revival Creedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums.... |
2 | Safe |
| Top 48 | Quarterfinals | "Midnight Train to Georgia Midnight Train to Georgia "Midnight Train to Georgia" is a 1973 number-one hit single by Gladys Knight & the Pips, their second release after departing Motown Records for Buddah Records... " |
Cissy Houston Cissy Houston Emily "Cissy" Houston is a Grammy Award–winning American soul and gospel singer. She led a very successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Wishbone Ash and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist... |
2 | Safe |
| Top 24 | Semifinals | "I Have Nothing I Have Nothing "I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston and released as the third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album on February 20, 1993 by Arista Records. The song was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, and produced by Foster... " |
Whitney Houston Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among... |
1 | Eliminated Judges' Choice |