A few weeks ago, several celebrities went to Washington, D.C. for the annual Correspondents’ Dinner. It’s one of the rare Washington events that attracts a big clusterf-ck of press, politicians and celebrities, all jostling for attention. One of the celebrities in Washington that weekend was Gabourey Sidibe. I saw photos of her at various events, and didn’t really think much of it… until several days later, when two different media sources described Sidibe’s attitude, actions and statements while in Washington. The picture of Sidibe was that of a very rude woman who had no idea how to treat her fans with respect, a woman who had no idea how to play the game like a professional, especially when she was at one of the biggest media events of the year. In summary, she sounded like an a–hole.

Anyway, just a few days ago, Sidibe’s mom Alice Tan Ridley gave an interview to Radar about the allegations that Sidibe is totally rude. Her denial is kind of half-assed, though, and it amounts to “That’s not the way I raised her.”

Alice Tan Ridley spoke to RadarOnline.com to defend her daughter Gabourey Sidibe regarding claims that Sidibe was rude to reporters and fans during and after The White House Correspondents Dinner.

Journalist Jonathan Capeheart from The Washington Post revealed that the Oscar-nominated Precious star had been mean to him while other reporters also complained about her attitude and the way she treated some fans. Mediabistro.com reported that at an MSNBC after party, the normally friendly actress snapped at one fan who asked for a photograph.

When the fan said jokingly, “That’s all you’re going to give me,” Sidibe responded, “You’ll get what I give you!”

But her mom – who is currently competing on America’s Got Talent– poured cold water on these reports of diva-like antics. The New York subway singer told RadarOnline.com: “I just spoke with Gabby yesterday while she was filming in Arizona and she is fine.”

“Would you believe all of those comments? Gabby was not raised to be a rude person. It has been a big change having all that attention and I think she has done well- she is happy right now– those comments are just other people’s opinions.”

Ridley is also hoping to find fame and fortune as well by winning NBC’s popular talent show this summer. She performed before a packed house recently at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York where she tried to impress judges Piers Morgan, Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne.

[From Radar]

Eh. Yeah, I don’t think her mom’s denial amounts to much. I said before that the Washington reporters and bloggers sounded honest, and their summary of Sidibe’s actions while in Washington seemed very likely. And the mom doesn’t really seem to deny it either – she’s just passing it off as “other people’s opinions”. Yes, in “other people’s opinions” Gaby needs to learn how to handle her fans and the media without coming across like an entitled, self-centered bitch. By the way, her mom sounds sort of like Dina Lohan, doesn’t she? Like she’s trying to get famous on the back of her daughter’s fame, the kind of celebrity-entourage enabling that can lead to some dangerous sh-t.

Here’s Alice:

Header: Sidibe on April 26, 2010 in NYC. Credit: WENN.