Mom of Precious Star Gabourey Sidibe Sings in NYC Subway
Credit: Terrence Jennings/Retna Ltd.; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Precious star Gabourey Sidibe was nominated for an Oscar, but her mom performs in a much more low-key location: the New York City subway.
"My name is not on Gabby's paycheck," Alice Tan Ridley told the New York Post from the Times Square subway station, where she has been belting out tunes three times a week for the last 18 years. (She also sings in Penn Station and 14th Street/Union Square.)
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Ridley worked as a nursery-school teacher and a Department of Education teacher's aide before relocating her act to Manhattan’s train stations.
"For a while, I was teaching and doing the singing, burning the candle at both ends to support my family," she said. She earns enough money every day, "to pay my bills and feed my kids."
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Ridley has traveled to Chile, Argentina and Germany to sing, and been offered more cushy gigs -- but she prefers to stay underground.
"People always say, 'Why don't you sing in clubs?' I tell 'em, 'This is my club,'" she insisted.
Ridley was offered the mother role in Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire she says, but she turned it down. Mo'Nique went on to earn an Oscar nomination for the heart-wrenching part.
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"Four years ago, they asked me to play the part of the mother," Ridley said. "But being a mom and teacher, I just couldn't play that part. It was just too hard."
Instead, she passed the novel off to her daughter, 26.
"I read the book, and I gave it to Gabby," Ridley said. "Her friends encouraged her to try out for 'Precious,' and she got it."
Sidibe never intended to become an actress -- or a singer, like her mother.
"Gabby would say, 'No, I'm gonna be a comedian,'" Ridley said.
Tell Us What You Think
21She was no panhandler, She did it for free after hours, And sometimes on her lunch hour,If you got lucky on one of her breaks.She also raised alot of money for charity.Strong women.
I use to get on the sub for years, Just to hear her sing.She lifted everyones spirits. Renzo
So, she is a "panhandler?" Is that correct? Is she employed by the subway to perform?
Maria, are you stupid? You must be.
I hope Precious loses weight. She's a big girl, but she seems sweet.Don't want her to die early. The media would love it.
I live in New York and have seen and heard the talent of Alice. She sounds good and I also hope that she lands a record deal.
Maria....your comment was horrible. It's a shame that you lower yourself to such a superficial level. I pray that one day you will change your ways and find peace within.
â?¥i love youâ?¥
I hope that Alice will be offered a recording contract so that others can hear her talent. I hope that her daughter wins the Oscar.
maria, the only issue here is their talent and not their size. i bet that though you are as skinny as a rope, you can NEVER HAVE HALF OF THEIR VOICE WHEN THEY SING.
I know it is hard for you to understand that being overweight and succesful ALSO for that does not make them any example. Your all brainwashed typical exponents of your time and place. I pitty you deeply and may you live in this ignorance as long as you wish. In the eyes of all normal people you are still going to look obese, non-interesting, whatever. But rememeber that it is YOU that keep loading money in the pockets of corporation Hollywood who so shamelesly feeds you mirrors of yourself. Shame on you!
One of the absolute highlights of my trip to NYC last year (I'm from New Zealand) was first hearing, then seeing this amazing woman singing like a dream in the train station. If this is how she chooses to share her talents, then more power to her. I am sure that for every person in the crowd that had gathered by the time I stumbled upon this amazing scene, hearing Ms Ridley's magnificent voice was a wonderful and uplifting break in the day.
Shame on you, Maria. These women are both kind and smart, and have been recognized for their talents. Yes, they are talented and overweight. Thank goodness you don't have to be a size 4 to have a beautiful singing voice.
Basing one's opinion of another person on weight is shallow, cruel and ignorant. These women are survivors of hard times and today's economics. I applaud them whole-heartedly. I too was once obese, I have lost 126#, but I know what "fat-prejudice" is and how people who didn't even know me judged me. I just know that God's blessing is on Gabby and her mom and family. God love 'em.
First of all the article is not promoting overweight people; the article is about Gabâ??s mother supporting herself and maintaining her independence without living off of her daughter, which she could have done so kudos to her for being self-sufficient. Second, donâ??t assume just because a person is overweight itâ??s due to overeating; thyroid and other health issues can cause obesity as well. Lastly, this is the most hateful, judgmental post Iâ??ve seen in a long time. Thank goodness everyone isnâ??t as narrow-minded as you are.
I don't think they are getting promoted because they are obese. Gabby is an actress that happenes to be overweight. It is very rude and ignorant for you to try & judge these women and u dont even know them. BTW this "non-touched segment of the market" has to include u because its obvious they are attracting you.
First of all, no one is promoting overweight people you idiot - second, she and her daughter are not trying to be an example to anyone; the article merely addresses how Gabourey's mother supports herself, which to me, is commendable because she could mooch off her daughter but chose to continue to make her own way and continue to be indpendent, to which I say kudos to her. This is one of the most hateful judgmental posts I've seen in a long time; thank goodness you weren't Helen Keller's mother, or the world would have been deprived of an amazing, courageous woman; because she wasn't born perfect, you probably would have drowned her at birth.
I have seen her in the underground (subway). She has a GREAT and POWERFUL voice!
Maria....didn't your mom ever teach you that if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything. What is disapointing is you opening your rude mouth. News flash if you don't like what your looking at close your eyes....then maybe you would fall in a man hole and the world would continue to enjoy itself. She did an amazing job in this movie and instead of knocking her how about congratulating her on her success. I am very proud that she did such a great job in this movie and it must have been very hard to play such a emotional part. Way to go!!! Much continued success to you. And Maria STFU!!!!
Every time I read an article or see an interview regarding her, I just like her more and more! This family is a great example for anyone. But, only if you are able to get pass their weight problem. It doesn't take much for a simple mind to ignore what is important and attack what is not.