Gabourey Sidibe is making her way on red carpet events, while her mother, Alice Tan Ridley is singing in subways for money three days a week. Quite a contrast! Ms. Ridley’s voice is what actually lead to Gabby playing the part of Precious. Read the details below:

When asked why she is working in the subway now that her daughter is break-through success, Ms. Ridley simple said:

“My name is not on Gabby’s paycheck. For a while, I was teaching and doing the singing, burning the candle at both ends to support my family.”

She eventually made subway singing a full-time job. “When I come home at the end of the day, I have enough to pay my bills and feed my kids,” she said.

“People always say, ‘Why don’t you sing in clubs?’ I tell ‘em, ‘This is my club.’ ”

Her singing helped pave the way for her daughter’s breakout in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”

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. …I read the book, and I gave it to Gabby. Her friends encouraged her to try out for ‘Precious,’ and she got it,” she added. {Source}