Whoopi Goldberg Reunites ‘Sister Act 2’ Kid Actors After 30 Years to Recreate ‘Oh Happy Day’ and ‘Joyful, Joyful’ Choir Scenes, Breaks Down in Tears

Zack Sharf
·3 min read
18

Whoopi Goldberg celebrated the 30th anniversary of “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” by reuniting the movie’s cast on “The View” — and not just her adult co-stars like Kathy Najimy. Goldberg gathered many of the kid actors who made up the choir in the movie and recreated the scene in which her character, Sister Mary Clarence, conducts them in a soulful rendition of “Oh Happy Day.”

Lead vocalist Ryan Toby, who played the young Ahmal in the movie, returned to sing “Oh Happy Day” with Goldberg 30 years later. The co-stars also sang “Joyful, Joyful” from the film, with The War and Treaty singer Tanya Trotter taking over vocals from Lauryn Hill, who did not participate in the reunion. Hill’s role as the talented choir singer Rita Louise Watson served as a breakthrough for her. Goldberg broke down in tears after the “Joyful, Joyful” reunion performance.

More from Variety

Joining Toby in the cast reunion was Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Monica Calhoun, Alex Martin, David Kater, Frank Odell Howard, Dionna Nichelle, Jermaine Montell, Tanya Trotter, DeeDee Magno Hall, Ashley Thompson and Deondray Gossfield.

Goldberg said during the reunion that “everybody recognizes themselves” in the characters, which is why the two “Sister Act” movie have remained beloved for three decades and counting.

“Worldwide, it doesn’t matter how old you are, you are the age of those kids when you see the movie,” Goldberg added. “You’re the age of them and you remember your time and you remember how happy you were that you didn’t have to go to Catholic school. But then you remember how sorry you are that you didn’t get to go to Catholic school and you missed out on teachers like this. So I think people just feel themselves here.”

The reunion also included video segments from those who couldn’t participate in person. Jennifer Love Hewitt, was just 13 years old when she starred in the “Sister Act” sequel, said working on the movie was “one of the greatest things that ever happened to me.”

“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,” Hewitt added. “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!”

Goldberg has spoken out frequently over the last several months about her interest in making “Sister Act 3.” The movie has been in development for years, with Regina Hicks and Karin Gist once hired back in 2018 to pen the sequel. Goldberg said in 2022 that she was interested in having Keke Palmer and Lizzo join the cast.

“I want as many people who want to have some fun because I really, desperately need to have some fun,” Goldberg said at the time, adding that she was teaming up with Tyler Perry to develop the sequel and a script was to be completed soon.

Watch clips from Goldberg’s “Sister Act 2” 30th anniversary reunion in the posts below.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next