The cast of Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit reunited on The View to mark the film's 30th anniversary, and emotions certainly got the best of many, including Whoopi Goldberg.
Goldberg led cast members of the iconic film and students from LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in performances of the film's legendary renditions of "Joyful, Joyful" and "Oh Happy Day."
On Wednesday's episode, the cohost once again donned her Sister Mary Clarence habit and joined some of her former cast mates, including City High vocalist Ryan Toby (Ahmal), as they first graced viewers with "Oh Happy Day."
You can watch below.
‘Sister Act 2' Cast Performs 'Oh Happy Day' on 'The View'youtu.be
Goldberg and the cast and choir then segued into the version of "Joyful, Joyful" made famous by the film.
And Goldberg could barely hold it together by the end, tearfully hugging and celebrating with her former cast mates.
'Sister Act 2' Cast & LaGuardia High School Performers Perform 'Joyful, Joyful' On 'The View'youtu.be
People on social media were in awe of the stellar and heartfelt performances.
They loved Goldberg's emotional display, and many admitted they teared up a bit.
Several of the film's stars reunited to reminisce, including 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.
Many recounted Goldberg's kindness and generosity both on and off set. For example, the cohost threw a graduation party for the high school seniors who were unable to attend their own ceremonies due to filming.
Ralph, who played Florence, the mother of Lauryn Hill's character Rita Watson, opened up about the pivotal scene in which she told her daughter there was no future for her in the arts.
"I had no idea that 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. 'You're going to be an actress? Working with all of those fake a phony people? On my hard-earned money? No! No!'"
"So in my mind in that scene, I'm playing my mom. If my mom could have seen these things, she'd say, 'Lord God Jesus, you're good girl!'"
Others shared humorous and lesser-known stories about the movie.
Music supervisor Mervyn Warren revealed that he himself recorded the "La La Las" in "Oh Happy Day," and they were not actually sung by Goldberg.
"...so much happened during the production and we were doing so many things, that we never got Whoopi back into this studio."
"So to this day, the La La Las are my voice, and not Whoopi's."
While several of the film's stars weren't physically in attendance, many—including Jenifer Lewis, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Erica Campbell and Alanna Ubach—sent video messages sharing memories of their time together.
Hewitt, who was 13 years old at the time of filming, said:
"Working on 'Sister Act 2' is 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."
"I got to hear Lauryn Hill sing every day, just right outside the trailer or right in front of my face."
She added:
"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!"
You can watch that segment below.
'Sister Act 2' Cast Discusses Its Impact 30 Years Lateryoutu.be
Goldberg ended the episode by reminding fans:
"Don't forget: Sister Act 3 is in the works."
"The script is in and I can't wait for the day I can say, 'Come along for the ride because I got that green light.'"
Neither can we!
@kileywrestling/Bluesky
