Let’s be honest for a second. Most sequels are cash grabs that feel like a lukewarm microwave dinner compared to the original feast. But when people talk about the Sister Act 2 back in the habit cast, they aren't just talking about a group of actors in a 1993 movie. They’re talking about a cultural shift. If you grew up in the nineties, you didn't just watch this movie; you lived it. You probably tried to hit that high note in "Joyful, Joyful" and failed miserably in your living room.
The Powerhouse at the Center: Whoopi and the Kids
Whoopi Goldberg was already a titan by 1993. She had the Oscar for Ghost. She had the clout. But the magic of the Sister Act 2 back in the habit cast wasn't just about Deloris Van Cartier putting the habit back on. It was about the classroom.
Look at the lineup in that music room. You had a very young, very raw Lauryn Hill playing Rita Watson. This was before The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill changed the music industry forever. When she sings "His Eye is on the Sparrow" with Tanya Blount, it’s not just "movie singing." It’s a spiritual experience captured on celluloid. Honestly, that single scene probably inspired more choir enrollments than any recruitment drive in history.
The chemistry worked because it wasn't polished. Director Bill Duke—who, let’s remember, usually did gritty action and dramas like A Rage in Harlem—brought a realness to the kids. They felt like actual teenagers from San Francisco, not "Hollywood" versions of them. You had Ryan Toby as Ahmal, the kid who could hit those glass-shattering notes. You had Devin Ratray (the bully Buzz from Home Alone) playing against type as the awkward but lovable kid.
Why Rita Watson Was the Soul of the Sequel
Lauryn Hill’s character wasn't just a plot point. Rita represented every kid who has a dream that their parents are terrified of. Her mother, played by the legendary Sheryl Lee Ralph, provided the necessary friction. It’s funny looking back now, seeing these two powerhouses go at it.
Ralph was a Broadway icon, the original Deena Jones in Dreamgirls. Putting her in the Sister Act 2 back in the habit cast as a mother suppressing her daughter's talent was a stroke of genius. It grounded the film. Without that tension, the movie is just a series of catchy songs. With it, it becomes a story about identity and breaking generational cycles.
The Returning Vets and the New Habits
You can't talk about this cast without acknowledging the nuns. Maggie Smith returned as Mother Superior, and thank god she did. Her dry wit is the perfect foil to Whoopi’s chaotic energy. Then you have the holy trinity of Kathy Najimy (Sister Mary Patrick), Wendy Makkena (Sister Mary Robert), and Mary Wickes (Sister Mary Lazarus).
Mary Wickes, in particular, was a treasure. This was one of her final roles before she passed away in 1995. Her comedic timing was sharp as a razor, even in her 80s. She didn't need a monologue to steal a scene; she just needed a look.
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- Whoopi Goldberg: The glue. She took a massive $7 million paycheck for this, which was huge at the time, but she earned it by letting the kids shine.
- James Coburn: Playing the "villain" Mr. Crisp. It’s wild seeing an Oscar-winning Western and action star playing a grumpy school administrator.
- Barnard Hughes: As Father Maurice. He brought that old-school Irish-Catholic charm that balanced out the high-energy gospel performances.
The Kids Who Became Legends
The "St. Francis Choir" wasn't just background noise. Many of these performers were seasoned singers or went on to be massive in the industry.
Take Ryan Toby. After he sang "Oh Happy Day" and blew the roof off the theater, he didn't just disappear. He became a hugely successful songwriter and producer, working with Usher on the Confessions album and writing for Justin Bieber and Chris Brown. He was a member of the group City High. When you watch him as Ahmal, you’re watching the birth of a R&B staple.
And then there’s Jennifer Love Hewitt. She’s credited as Love Hewitt in the film. She plays Margaret, one of the choir members. It’s a small role, but it was one of her first big breaks before Party of Five and I Know What You Did Last Summer made her a household name.
The Sister Act 2 back in the habit cast was essentially a talent scout’s dream.
Production Reality vs. Nostalgia
Here is something most people forget: the critics hated this movie.
When it came out, the reviews were brutal. Roger Ebert gave it two stars. It currently sits with a dismal score on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences didn't care. It became a cult classic because of the music and the genuine heart of the ensemble.
The production was actually a bit rushed. Disney wanted a sequel fast because the first movie was a sleeper hit that made over $230 million. They turned the sequel around in about a year. Usually, that’s a recipe for disaster. But the casting director, Reuben Cannon, found lightning in a bottle with the students.
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The Musical DNA of the Cast
We have to talk about the soundtrack. Mervyn Warren and Marc Shaiman (who did the first one) leaned heavily into contemporary R&B and Gospel for the sequel. This was a smart move. It moved the franchise from "cute nuns singing 60s pop" to "powerhouse vocalists doing 90s New Jack Swing and Gospel."
"Joyful, Joyful" is the climax of the film for a reason. It’s a complex arrangement. It features rap verses, soulful solos, and a full choir breakdown. The cast spent weeks rehearsing those routines. It wasn't just "show up and sing." They had to function as a real choir.
Where Are They Now?
People always ask what happened to the rest of the kids.
- Ron Johnson (Skeet): He continued acting for a bit but largely stayed out of the massive spotlight compared to Lauryn Hill.
- Tanya Blount: She had a successful career in the Gospel and R&B world. Her duet with Lauryn Hill remains one of the most requested songs from the film.
- Alanna Ubach (Maria): You’ve seen her everywhere. She was in Legally Blonde, Euphoria, and voiced characters in Coco. She is a character actress chameleon.
The Sister Act 2 back in the habit cast didn't just move on; they populated the rest of the entertainment industry for the next three decades.
Why the Sequel is Culturally More Significant
While the first Sister Act is a tighter movie script-wise, the second one is the one that gets quoted. It’s the one that gets played at graduation ceremonies. It’s the one that Black families, in particular, hold dear because it showcased Black excellence in a Catholic school setting without making the struggle the only part of the story.
It was about joy. It was about the transformative power of a teacher who actually gives a damn.
The Legacy of the Casting Choices
If they had cast "safe" choices—kids who were just actors and not musicians—the movie would have failed. By casting real singers like Hill and Toby, they ensured the movie had a shelf life. You can fake a lot of things in Hollywood, but you can’t fake that kind of vocal talent.
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Even the "mean" kids in the class had a redemptive arc that felt earned. It wasn't just about winning a competition; it was about saving a school. It’s a trope, sure, but the Sister Act 2 back in the habit cast sold it with everything they had.
Moving Toward Sister Act 3
With the news that Sister Act 3 is in development for Disney+, the legacy of the second film is more relevant than ever. Whoopi has been vocal about wanting to get the old gang back together.
Imagine a grown-up Rita Watson or Ahmal coming back to mentor a new generation. That’s the power of this cast; they aren't just characters, they are part of our collective memory of the 90s.
How to Revisit the Magic
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of St. Francis, don't just rewatch the movie. Look for the "making of" specials or the recent reunions on The View.
- Watch the 30th Anniversary Reunion: In 2024, Whoopi Goldberg brought back many of the original cast members for a performance of "Joyful, Joyful" that went viral. Seeing Ryan Toby hit those same notes decades later is a testament to his skill.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: It’s available on all streaming platforms. Pay close attention to the backing vocals—that’s where the real technical work of the Sister Act 2 back in the habit cast shines.
- Track the Careers: Follow actors like Alanna Ubach or Sheryl Lee Ralph to see how the foundation they built in this "silly nun movie" supported massive careers in television and film.
The cast of Sister Act 2 proved that a sequel doesn't have to be better than the original to be more beloved. It just has to have soul. And this group had it in spades.
To truly appreciate the impact of this ensemble, your next step should be watching the 2024 reunion performance on YouTube. It bridges the gap between the kids they were and the legends they’ve become, showing that the bond formed in that fictional music room was very real. After that, go back and listen to the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill to see how the seeds planted in "His Eye is on the Sparrow" eventually bloomed into one of the greatest albums of all time.