Celebrated Subway Singer Alice Tan Ridley Dies at 72

NEW YORK CITY, April 10, 2025 — Alice Tan Ridley, an inspiring gospel and R&B singer who showcased her powerful vocals in New York City subway stations for decades before achieving national fame on NBC’s ‘America’s Got Talent,’ has died at 72. Ridley passed away on March 25, her family announced in an obituary published by Sconiers Funeral Home. A cause of death has not been revealed.

Born Alice Ann Ridley on December 21, 1952, in Lumpkin, Georgia, she was the seventh of eight children. In 1971, she moved to New York City to teach special-needs children after earning her teaching license. Ridley began her music career in 1992, performing at subway stations in Union Square and Times Square, eventually becoming a local sensation.

Her remarkable talents were on full display when she auditioned for ‘America’s Got Talent’ in 2010 at age 58. Performing Etta James‘ classic ‘At Last,’ Ridley wowed judges Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel, and Piers Morgan, leading them to unanimously advance her through the competition. “Alice, millions of people must have gone back and forth on that subway over the twenty years. How come nobody signed you?” Osbourne remarked, emphasizing Ridley’s substantial yet untapped potential.

Throughout her journey on ‘AGT,’ Ridley continued to showcase her vocal abilities, performing hits from artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Gladys Knight. Her time on the show ended in the semifinals, following a heartfelt performance of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing.’

In addition to her subway performances, Ridley sang at the renowned Cotton Club in Harlem. Over the years, she performed at various venues, including the Highline Ballroom and made appearances on daytime television shows such as ‘Harry’ featuring Harry Connick Jr.

Ridley released her debut album, ‘Never Lost My Way,’ in 2016 at the age of 63. She also made a mark on other talent shows, having won $25,000 on Fox’s ’30 Seconds to Fame’ and participated in ‘Showtime at the Apollo,’ as well as the documentary ‘Rize.’

Ridley is survived by her two children: son Ahmed Sidibe and her daughter Gabourey Sidibe, an Oscar-nominated actress known for her role in ‘Precious.’ Ridley and her estranged husband Ibnou Sidibe divorced, but they remained cordial for the benefit of their children. In addition to her children, Ridley leaves behind her siblings, including brothers James D. ‘Jimmy’ Ridley and Tommy Lee ‘Tom-Tom’ Cherry, sisters Julia Van Mater-Miller and Mildred Ridley Dent, and two grandchildren, Cooper and Maya.

Her family plans to hold a funeral service on Saturday in Georgia, followed by a burial near her birthplace, a poignant end to a life dedicated to music and uplifting others through her art.