It was an explosion of nostalgia on ABC’s The View as Whoopi Goldberg, who is the head moderator on the daytime talk show, was reunited with her fellow cast mates from 1994’s Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit for the film’s 30th anniversary. Goldberg’s adult co-stars were in attendance, but what made the reunion very special was seeing the kid actors from the film all grown up and still carrying an angelic tune 30 years later.
Goldberg, who played Sister Mary Clerence in the film, was joined by her adult co-stars Kathy Najimy (Sister Mary Patrick), Wendy Makkena (Sister Mary Robert), and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Florence Watson). They were joined by the former child actors from the film, including vocalist Ryan Toby (Ahmal), Tanya Trotter (Tanya), Monica Calhoun, Alex Martin, David Kater, Frank Odell Howard, Dionna Nichelle, Jermaine Montell, DeeDee Magno Hall, Ashley Thompson, and Deondray Gossfield.
In the film, many of the kids make up the choir at St. Francis Academy and they recreated one of the movie’s more notable scenes, which sees Sister Mary Clarence conducting them during a rendition of “Oh Happy Day.” Toby led the song, once again backed by some of the returning cast and kids from a local choir in New York City.
Whoopi Goldberg Was Overwhelmed with Emotion and Tears by the Reunion
They also recreated the film’s finale song, “Joyful, Joyful,” originally led by singer Lauryn Hill (Rita Watson) in the film, but taken over by Trotter, since Hill was not in attendance. Following the performance of “Joyful, Joyful,” Goldberg was overwhelmed by the emotion of the reunion and broke down in tears as the cast gathered around to embrace her.
Former cast members that could not attend in person sent in video messages, including Alanna Ubach (Maria) and Jennifer Love Hewitt (Margaret), who revealed she was only 13 years old when she starred in the sequel. Hewitt had nothing but kind words to say about her experience and is also down to come back for Sister Act 3.
“I was very young, a teenager in fact. I got to work with the queen, Whoopi Goldberg. She was the kindest, coolest person to me ever. I got to hear Lauryn Hill sing every day, just right outside the trailer or right in front of my face. All of you are the best and I’m just sending lots and lots of love. I wish that I could be with you. If you guys need me in No. 3, just call me up!”
Sister Act 3 Finally Has a Screenplay
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
The sisters come back to Delores’s show to get her back as Sister Mary Clarence to teach music to a group of students in their parochial school which is doomed for closure. One of the girls, who is the most talented of the bunch, is forbidden to sing by her mother, although the choir has made it to the state championship. A group of stereotypical incompetent monks tries to stop them.
Sister Act 3 has long been in development, going back to at least 2018, when Regina Hicks and Karin Gist were hired to write the screenplay. At the end of the reunion episode, Goldberg stated that the script was now ready, and they’re just waiting for the green light. Considering how much the internet has been sharing clips from the reunion, it might have done the job proving that fans are indeed hungry for a third installment.
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit was directed by Bill Duke and is loosely based on Crenshaw High School choir instructor Iris Stevenson. The film serves as a sequel to 1992’s hit comedy Sister Act, and finds Goldberg returning as Delores van Cartier aka Sister Mary Clarence, as she is sought after to help her nun friends save an old school in San Francisco. The film also stars Maggie Smith, Mary Wickes, James Coburn, Bernard Hughes, and more!
The sequel wasn’t as financially successful as the first film, grossing $57.3 million domestically and $124.6 million worldwide compared with its predecessor’s $139.6 million domestic gross and $231.6 million global haul. Despite this, the film has gained significant popularity among fans in the years since its release and has gained a considerable cult following. It’s also known for being a breakout film for Lauryn Hill, who went on to join the hip-hop group The Fugees, before going solo, as well as gospel singer Erica Campbell, who became part of the duo Mary Mary, R&B singer Ryan Toby, who joined the group City High, and Tanya Trotter, who became a Grammy winner after forming the husband and wife gospel duo The War and Treaty.
