Gabourey Sidibe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gabourey Sidibe
Sidibe in 2014
Born	(1983-05-06) May 6, 1983 (age 42) New York, New York, U.S.
Other names	Gabby Sidibe
Alma mater	Borough of Manhattan Community College
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2009–present
Spouse(s)	Brandon Frankel ​ (m. 2021)​
Children	2
Parent(s)	Alice Tan Ridley (mother)
Relatives	Dorothy Pitman Hughes (aunt)

Gabourey Sidibe (born May 6, 1983) is an American actress. She became famous for her very first movie role in the 2009 film Precious. This role earned her a special award called the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead, and she was also nominated for big awards like the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress.

Gabourey Sidibe has starred in other movies too, such as Tower Heist (2011), White Bird in a Blizzard (2014), and Antebellum (2020). On television, she was a main character in the series The Big C from 2010 to 2013. She also played different roles in the popular show American Horror Story and starred as Becky Williams in the musical drama series Empire from 2015 to 2020. You can also hear her voice as Francis in the animated series StuGo.

Early Life and Background

Gabourey Sidibe was born in New York City and grew up in Harlem. Her mother, Alice Tan Ridley, is a talented R&B and gospel singer who appeared on America's Got Talent. Her father, Ibnou Sidibe, is from Senegal and works as a cab driver.

When she was growing up, Gabourey lived with her aunt, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, who is known as a feminist activist. Gabourey studied at Borough of Manhattan Community College and earned an associate degree. Before she became an actress, she worked as a receptionist.

Her Acting Career

Gabourey Sidibe's big break came with the movie Precious in 2009. This film won many awards, including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Gabourey herself was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for her amazing performance.

She then appeared in the film Yelling to the Sky in 2011. That same year, she was in the movie Tower Heist and lent her voice to a character in an episode of the animated show American Dad!. She also appeared in a music video for the band Foster the People.

From 2010 to 2013, Gabourey was a main cast member on the TV series The Big C, playing the role of Andrea Jackson.

Roles in American Horror Story

In 2013, Gabourey joined the cast of the popular series American Horror Story. She played Queenie, a young witch, in the third season, Coven. She returned for the fourth season, Freak Show, as Regina Ross. Later, she played Queenie again in Hotel (2015–2016) and Apocalypse (2018).

Starring in Empire

Starting in 2015, Gabourey Sidibe starred in the Fox musical drama series Empire. She played Becky Williams, who was the head of A&R (Artists and Repertoire) at the Empire company. Her role became even bigger in the second season of the show. She also appeared in the Hulu series Difficult People.

In 2015, it was announced that Gabourey would be writing a memoir, which is like a book about her own life. It was published in 2017.

Personal Life

Gabourey Sidibe got engaged to Brandon Frankel in November 2020. They got married in March 2021. In February 2024, the couple shared exciting news that they were expecting twins! They welcomed a boy and a girl in June 2024.

Film and TV Appearances

Sidibe in July 2010

Movies

Television Shows

Video Games

• High on Life (2023) – Mux

Music Videos

• Foster the People: "Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)" (2011)
• Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx: "(I Wanna) Channing All Over Your Tatum" (2014)

Images for kids

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  Sidibe in 2014

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  Sidibe in July 2010

See also

In Spanish: Gabourey Sidibe para niños