Alice Tan Ridley began her career singing in the New York City subways until she auditioned for a little show called “America’s Got Talent.” (Photo courtesy of Dvir Assouline)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Alice Tan Ridley is a fixture in the New York City singing community.
For 25 years, she performed in the subways until she became a fan-favorite on shows like 30 Seconds of Fame and America’s Got Talent (AGT).
In addition to appearing on those shows, she captivated audiences around the world with her dynamite vocals and amazing showmanship.
For this exclusive edition of A Conversation, Alice talked about her musical upbringing, her experiences performing down in the New York Subway System and the lessons she learned from appearing on AGT.
Jacob Elyachar: When did you first get interested in music?
Alice Tan Ridley: I was born into a houseful of singers. My sisters and my brother sang. My mother sang and that is what we did everyday and I have been singing since the time I was born.
JE: Who are your biggest musical influences?
ATR: I love Mahalia Jackson, Whitney and Beyoncé. Basically, my musical influences are anybody that has a big voice and knows how to use it. If you can make people feel something, then you are probably doing something right.
JE: When did you decide to sing in the New York City subways?
ATR: I had been traveling to New York City since I was 12 and a lot of people come to look for careers on Broadway, which was not the main reason I came here but I just loved that it was busy all the time. There is a program in the city that supports underground performers called MUNY (Music Under New York) and they were established a few years before I learned me about it. I was working with the New York Board of Education at that time and I joined the program down underground and I started singing from there. The subways are the place where performers showed off their art and I loved every moment of it, in fact, I even miss it, to tell you the truth. But I am happy to be on top and above ground.
JE: Did you have any favorite songs that you performed in the subways?
ATR: I used to love to perform Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” and all of the Motown classics. In addition, I also performed a lot of Barbra Streisand songs and I loved performing in front of people on their way to or from work. Sometimes, I would see them have frowns on their face and I would love to turn that frown into a smile.
JE: You have made a transition from the subways to television, when you made your first televised appearance on the short-lived FOX show“30 Seconds of Fame.” What were some of the factors that led you to appear on that show?
ATR: The reason why I decided to appear on the show was that I am a big ham and I love to appear on those kinds of shows. (JE: Laughs) I was asked to go on the show and they told me that it was going to be televised. This was an opportunity that a lot of people do not get and this was something I could not turn down.
JE: Speaking of not turning down opportunities, you decided to audition for “America’s Got Talent” in 2010. Your audition on the NBC series marked the first time in eight years that you appeared on television. Why did you decide to audition for AGT?
ATR: I love shows like America’s Got Talent because it emphasizes on talent. I thought it was the perfect thing to audition for the show and the fact that I auditioned and made it through was just fantastic. It does not happen to the average person everyday. I was happy to be on the show and one thing that America’s Got Talent has given me is fans from around the world because evidently the show is seen in multiple countries. They have sent me messages of how much they loved me on the show, how I touched them and they have been watching my videos all day long. That is so much inspiration for me and they are the reason why I continue to do what I do.
JE: I want to talk about your AGT audition. You performed a riveting cover of Etta James’s “At Last” and received some strong feedback. Former judge Piers Morgan stated: “In terms of talent, best audition of the day.” What was that experience like?
ATR: That was magnificent! I came out onto the stage being myself and to have the audience and the judges stand up for me and applaud. That let me know right then and there that I was doing the right thing. I felt so wonderful after that moment and to have them say that was the best performance of the day, it made me feel good. In fact, I am having the same feeling right now just thinking about it. (Laughs)
Alice’s cover of Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia” received a standing ovation from all three judges and place in the show’s Semi-Finals. (Photo by NBC’s Trae Patton)
JE: In previous interviews that I had with AGT alums, they mentioned that Vegas Week was one of the hardest weeks of their lives. Could your share your Vegas experience with my readers?
ATR: I had a very bad time at Vegas Week. The night before I had to face the judges again, I fell asleep with the air conditioner on. When I woke up, I had this pain in my arm that was so sharp; I had to get a massage just before taping. But I made it through and I was really afraid about that show because I was worried that I would not be able to sing because I could not use my arm. I made it through that round too and then I was ready to go to Hollywood.
JE: For your first live show performance, you sang Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia.” That performance was magical and you earned a standing ovation from all three judges and the crowd. In addition, host Nick Cannon stated that America voted you through to the Semi-Finals, the next night. What was going through your mind when all of that happened?
ATR: The first thought that was going through my mind was “Oh My Goodness! I am actually here! I am actually talking to Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan.” I was saying “Wake Up Alice! You are on national T.V.!” to myself. The whole experience was just surreal to me because I have wanted this for many, many years. While I was down in the subway, a lot of people told me that I should be on American Idol and I told them: “I’m way too old to be on that show.” Idol only takes up to 28-year-olds and I have not seen 28 in about 30 years. (Laughs) Since I could not do American Idol, I was happy to be on America’s Got Talent.
JE: You performed Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” for the Semi-Finals. Why did you pick that song?
ATR: Who doesn’t love a Whitney Houston song? I loved how Whitney expressed herself and everything she did. During the time of the show, I had nothing but I really wanted it all. (Laughs) It is a beautiful song but I would have loved to sing “I Will Always Love You” if I made it farther in the competition.
Alice Tan Ridley always makes her shows memorable for her fans by singing some of their favorite songs. (Photo by Noam Galai)
JE: What were some of the lessons that you learned during your time on America’s Got Talent that you have implemented to help your career?
ATR: While I was down singing in the subway for 25 years, I did not have to dress up or put on make-up. America’s Got Talent has taught me to be more professional in what I do, which is singing on world stages and entertaining audiences across the country. It is a joyous thing because I feel like by me singing; I am sharing the joy that the Lord has bestowed on me and it is such a privilege to be able to do that.
JE: You have been doing a lot of touring. This month, you will be traveling to the West Coast and Virginia. What do you like about touring?
ATR: One thing that I love about touring is seeing the different audiences! I love having them be a part of the show. I want to make sure that my fans see a show that they had something to do with, whether they sing along or get up in dance. The audiences are just fantastic and I like to see the audience have fun while watching my show. Every now and then, I ask if there are any Pips in the audience that night and I bring them up on stage to be my Pips while I sing “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
For more information about Alice Tan Ridley, visit her website: http://alicetanridley.com/
