Whoopi Goldberg and The Cast of Sister Act 2 Reunite for 30th Anniversary Special
Whoopi and some of the cast members led by Tanya Blount Trotter and Ryan Toby reunite on the celebration of the movie’s 30th anniversary and sing two of its classic hits!
It was a joyful reunion at ABC’s The View on Wednesday, June 6 US time with Whoopi Goldberg celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 90’s film Sister Act 1 and 2 with some of its cast members present.
The host and Academy Award winner was joined by some of the students from the film led by Tanya Trotter and Ryan Toby as they went back in time to sing “Joyful Joyful” with the students of LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and “Oh Happy Day.” Other cast members – Katy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, and Sheryl Lee Ralph were also present to celebrate.
Still relevant after 30 years
During the interview, Whoopi’s co-hosts on The View ask her what she believes makes the film still watched since it was first shown in 1993.
“I think everybody recognizes themselves,” The Bits and Pieces author shared. ” Worldwide, it doesn’t matter how old you are, you are the age of those kids when you see the movie. You are their age and you remember your time and you remember how happy you are that you have to go to Catholic school. But at the same time how sorry you are you didn’t go to Catholic school and you miss out on teachers like that.”
Katy Najimy, who played Sister Mary Patrick added working with the kids left her in awe. “I thought the kids were miraculous. I felt like they were right in our veins, we were like one big family. They got the tone of it, they’re talented, gorgeous, and fun. I love both of them [Sister Act 1 and 2].”
Sheryl Lee Ralph, who played Rita’s mom (Lauryn Hill) meanwhile laughed at a meme presented to her and spoke about one of the moments she had with the young singer/actress.
“I had no idea that scene was going to land that way. In my mind, I was channeling my Jamaican mother when I told her I was going to be an actress,” she said of that scene.
She also got to reconnect with Lauryn, who would launch an album and become part of one of the top groups of her time – The Fugees.
The reunion 90s kids waited for
The kids from the film also recalled their time at the set. Whoopi’s daughter Alex pointed out that she auditioned for a role even with her mom as part of the film.
They also shared about the chemistry and the behind-the-scenes. Dionna Michelle told the audience that what they saw between her and the girls during “Joyful, Joyful” was real.
“We immediately clicked and stuck together the whole film. So what you saw and felt was our real chemistry.”
But more than the film, all cast members agreed that Whoopi played a big part in their lives.
“I remember auditioning so many times,” Tanya said. “We ended up flying to LA, Lauryn and I, and I didn’t get the role and Whoopi heard me sing. She put me to the side and she said ‘I’m going to make sure that the world hears your voice’.”
Aside from Lauryn, Tanya, and Ryan, the film paved the way for a young Jennifer Love Hewitt, who later starred in I Know What You Did Last Summer and Ghost Whisperer. it also starred Maggie Smith, who later became known for her roles in Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey.
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