Gabourey’s mom, Alice Tan Ridley, is hoping to follow in Susan Boyle’s footsteps by performing on America’s Got Talent, RadarOnline.com has learned.
The former nursery school teacher- who regularly performs on the New York subway belting out songs– will audition for the show in New York on March 20. She is confident that she has what it takes to impress judges Piers Morgan, Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne, not to mention millions of television viewers across America.
“Look, I would not be entering the competition if I did not think I could do well. Singing is what I do and I know I can do this,” Ridley told RadarOnline.com. “I haven’t told Gabby yet,but I’m sure she will support me just like I support her as a performer.”“I’m proud of my daughter and hopefully America’s Got Talent will give me the chance to shine and I’m really looking forward to the audition and doing well if I get through,” Alice added.
I would think she would tell her daughter, before she told the press.. but uhmmmmmmmm.. ok!
AcaiSupply.com is reaching out to the Oscar nominated star, noting that obesity is a “major epidemic” in the U.S. and they want to help her fight what they call “this terrible affliction.”
The company is offering her a one year supply of the product in return for an endorsement — provided she loses weight.
The CEO wrote a letter to Sidibe, [Read the letter HERE] urging her, “The only way you can reach your goal of someday winning that Oscar is by being active, fit, and most of all, healthy!”
A rep for Sidibe could not be reached for comment.
As I do believe that Gabby does need to lose weight to be healthy, I find the approach by Acai Supply insulting, and to say the ONLY WAY she can win an Oscar.. Are they serious?!…And I’m sure Oprah did not co-sign this “endorsement”. They might have meant no harm in their intent, but their approach definitely was all wrong!! But reading the letter, I would say this can’t be real.(I hope not)
“THEY DIDN’T MAKE YOU, AND DON’T LET THEM BREAK YOU”
Mama said it all!!
Howard Stern & his “no mind of her own” sidekick Robin, are pissing a lot of folk off regarding recent comments on Gabourey Sidibe…discussing her weight & how she looks, and how she will never get future work in Hollywood. And even though a lot of you have said the same thing(black & white alike), Howard Stern of course & his “yessa massa” chick Robin saying it, is not sitting too well with folk. But truth be told, this is what Howard does and has always done, so why are any of us surprised? I’m not!!…[listen to audio below]
I do believe that Gabourey’s roles will be limited, cause unfortunately, Hollywood does not embrace Gabby’s look often, and do not offer many roles for black actresses period, let alone overweight black actresses. Her losing weight is definitely something she will have to consider for any longevity in Hollywood, and just for plain health reasons. Even Mo’Nique lost some weight..[just my .02]
Gearing up for The Oscars this Sunday… Gabourey tells People Magazine…
Though Gabourey Sidibe has said she’s planning to bring her mom as her date to the 2010 Academy Awards, there is another person who’d definitely love to be by the Precious Best Actress nominee’s side as she steps on to the red carpet.
“Oprah called me and was like, ‘Hey girl, do you want to ride together?’ ” the 26-year-old Oscar contender told PEOPLE at Thursday’s third annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon.
“I was like, ‘I got it Oprah, calm down. I don’t want to show up with you. People will think we’re too cool.”
Despite refusing Oprah’s offer, the young actress’s love for the mogul definitely runs deep.
“She’s the only person that I’m continually star-struck by,” admits Sidibe. “When I meet people I get used to them very quickly because everyone seems like a friend because I watch them on TV. But Oprah is the only one I can’t get used to.”>> Wait, there’s more…
Gabourey, Oscar nominee for her role in “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” admitted that although she was happy being a part of the magazine — she’s featured in a shoot with her “Precious” co-star Mo’Nique and director Lee Daniels — her cover exclusion did indeed cross her mind.
“Were you satisfied with the story inside the magazine?” Access Hollywood asked the Best Actress nominee at Monday’s Oscar Luncheon.
“Was I satisfied? Yeah, well… I mean, I come from a world where I’m not on covers and I’m not in magazines at all,” Gabourey said. “And so I was happy to be in the magazine.
“At first I thought, ‘Hmm, should I be there?” she continued, about the cover shoot. “Then I very quickly got over it. I think if I were a part of that shoot I would have felt a little left out anyway.”
Gabourey added that had she been chosen for the cover, which spotlighted a host of stars including Kristen Stewart, Carey Mulligan, Abbie Cornish, Amanda Seyfried and Anna Kendrick, she would have wondered whether she fit in.
“I would have felt a little like… whether or not I should have been there,” she told Shaun. Wait, there’s more…
Gabourey is featured in the latest Harper’s Bazaar…check out some excerpts from her interview and video footage below…Confident & Lovin herself. You go girl…I love it!!>>>
“I feel like a model. It justifies everyone in my life who told me I wouldn’t be anything until I lost weight. It justifies that little girl who cried because she didn’t think she could be in front of the camera. And it’s for other girls who feel like they can’t do this or that and feel like they’re not pretty and not worthy of having their photo taken. I just know that I was tired. I was tired of thinking less of myself because others did.”
She adds, “People always ask me, ‘You have so much confidence. Where did that come from?’ It came from me. One day I decided that I was beautiful, and so I carried out my life as if I was a beautiful girl. I wear colors that I really like, I wear makeup that makes me feel pretty, and it really helps. It doesn’t have anything to do with how the world perceives you. What matters is what you see. Your body is your temple, it’s your home, and,” she chuckles, “you must decorate it.” Wait, there’s more…
To celebrate women of all shapes, V chose size zero actress Dakota Fanning, 15, and Gabourey Sidibe, the 26-year-old critically acclaimed plus-size star of “Precious,” to grace its two contrasting covers which hit newsstands Jan. 14.
Gabourey Sidibe quotes:
“Growing up there weren’t a lot of actresses and singers that looked like me,” says the New York born-and-bred actress. “There were no real times that I thought maybe I can do it, until Mo’Nique came along. She’s a plus-sized woman who didn’t care about one day being skinny. All my life I’ve been hearing that I’ll never amount to anything until I am skinny. She disproved everything that everyone has ever told me.”
Sidibe has garnered major Oscar buzz for her performance in “Precious” and is working on her second film, “Yelling to the Sky,” alongside Zoe Kravitz. She has already been nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress.
I love the concept behind this V issue, and love even more that women like Gabourey are getting positive shine for their work, and not being shunned because of their size!! We’re gettin there, slowly but surely!!!
I will be first in line tomorrow to see this oh so powerful film “Precious”. I have yet to read the book “Push”, which the movie is based from[trust me I will be getting to that this weekend], but based on the trailer of this film, it is a must-see.
THE AUDACITY OF PRECIOUS
“Precious,” the harrowing story of a 350-pound illiterate teenage girl who is pregnant for the second time by her father and horribly abused by her mother.”
Depicted by Gabourey Sidibe, Gabourey talks about how she learned of this part, and her reaction when she got the good news she was cast…
Sapphire speaks about casting Gabourey Sidibe as the lead actress in the new movie “Precious,” which was based on her novel “Push”. >>>.. Wait, there’s more…
This seems to be the topic of discussion, especially recently with Tameka Foster, ex wife of Usher Raymond. She even takes time to beef on Twitter with V-103′s Elle Duncan, because Elle made a joke about using “RAYMOND”…even though she’s not married to Usher either…[see clip below] Share and Enjoy:
 | mr who on BUZZ PLAYLIST| First It Was Diggy Simmons, Now Here Comes Willow Smith… “WHIP MY HAIR” she too grown |
 | Angela Armstrong on Getting Candid With Hot 107.9 Rashan Ali….. Hello, to the newest lady of afternoon radio. I have enjoyed listing to you on the radio. just would like ... |
 | tami on Fantasia’s “Back To Me” Album Release Party @ Justin’s…[pics & video] Looks like a fun event |
 | Jamilah on Jazmine Sullivan Performs @ “Mansion Elan” for Black Gay Pride [pics & video]… Dang she is so pretty but she gained more weight...That dress wasnt right for her, but she still can sang ... |
