Whoopi Goldberg breaks down in tears with original “Sister Act 2” choir after emotional 'Joyful, Joyful' performance
Goldberg reunited with many of the actors who played the OG choir in "Sister Act 2" during a moving 30th anniversary special on "The View."
Whoopi Goldberg and the original stars who played her talented choir students in Sister Act 2 just took The View to church.
On Wednesday's episode of the long-running talk show, the Oscar-winning actress broke down in tears as she reunited with several stars — including Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, and Sheryl Lee Ralph — and crew members from the 1993 comedy classic, and the whole thing ended with Goldberg literally back in the habit for an emotional recreation of the film's climactic performance of "Joyful, Joyful."
The performance began with Tanya Trotter (one half of the Grammy-nominated duo The War and Treaty) taking over a solo portion for the absent Lauryn Hill, who kicked off the original performance in the film as a formerly dejected student who, alongside Goldberg's Sister Mary Clarence, inspires the students to give the rendition of a lifetime amid a high school choir competition.
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Whoopi Goldberg performs 'Joyful, Joyful' with 'Sister Act 2' choir on 'The View'Related: Sister Act cast: Where are they now?
Goldberg, clad in a full nun outfit, then got into the groove with her castmates, who powered through the tribute to the iconic scene with accompaniment from Najimy, Makkena, and Ralph.
Ryan Toby, who played Ahmal in the film before turning to popular music in the group City High, also performed solo lyrics, with Goldberg's daughter and Sister Act 2 supporting Alex Martin among the choir as well. The performers were assisted by students from the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
When the number concluded, the camera showed Goldberg overwhelmed with emotion, with tears tears welling in her eyes as she embraced Ralph.
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The View's Sister Act 2 reunion also welcomed the film's music supervisor Marc Shaiman and music producer Mervyn Warren to the set, while video messages from cast members Jenifer Lewis, Erica Campbell, Alanna Ubach, and Jennifer Love Hewitt also played throughout the episode.
Following the success of the first film in 1992, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit grossed $125 million in global ticket sales, featuring Goldberg's return as Sister Mary Clarence — who previously entered witness protection as a nun — as the character who returned to help a school choir step into their talents via a tense singing competition.
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Tanya Trotter, Ryan Toby, and Whoopi Goldberg perform 'Joyful, Joyful' on 'The View'Goldberg regularly uses The View as a platform for her work in the Sister Act universe, which she has attempted to expand on in the program in the recent past. In September 2022, she welcomed Sister Act 3 producer Tyler Perry to the show to discuss the long-delayed sequel's production. Perry lamented that "the Hollywood system moves a little slower" than he wanted for the film, but that Sister Act 3 had a "good script" in the works.
In subsequent interviews, Goldberg spoke about the project with Najimy and Ralph. Though Daisy Ridley did not star in the Sister Act series, Goldberg invited her to join the third film's cast when the Star Wars alum appeared on The View for an interview earlier this year — months after Goldberg traveled to the Vatican and offered the Pope a cameo role.
The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET on ABC.
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Tanya Trotter, Kathy Najimy, Whoopi Goldberg, Wendy Makkena, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Ryan Toby reunite for 'Sister Act 2' on 'The View'Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.