The Habit Holds Strong: Where Is The Sister Act 2 Cast Now? (2025 Updates)
Few films capture the joy and infectious energy of the early 90s like Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Released in 1993, the sequel to the smash-hit original introduced a new generation to the brilliance of Deloris Van Cartier (Sister Mary Clarence) as she whipped the unruly St. Francis High School music class into a world-class choir. As of December 2025, the cast remains a subject of intense curiosity, especially with the monumental news of a third film finally moving forward. This is the definitive, fresh guide to what the nuns and the students are doing today, including major career moves, recent reunions, and the heartbreaking updates impacting Sister Act 3.
The film’s enduring popularity was recently highlighted by the 30th-anniversary reunion on The View, where Whoopi Goldberg reunited with many of her former student co-stars for an emotional performance of "Oh Happy Day" and "Joyful, Joyful." From Grammy-nominated musicians to Emmy-winning actresses and a confirmed Disney+ sequel, the cast of Sister Act 2 is busier than ever, proving that the music never truly stopped.
The Main Cast: From Habit to Hollywood Success
The core ensemble of nuns and the star student who challenged Sister Mary Clarence have all gone on to achieve significant, lasting careers in Hollywood, music, and activism. Here is a look at the most current professional updates for the key players.
- Whoopi Goldberg (Deloris Van Cartier / Sister Mary Clarence)
Biography & Current Status: An EGOT winner, Whoopi remains a fixture on daytime television as a host of The View. In 2025, she has continued her philanthropic and business ventures, including the launch of AWSN, a global women's sports channel. Most importantly, her return for the Disney+ film Sister Act 3 is confirmed, with Goldberg actively involved in production and naming her dream cast, including Lizzo, Keke Palmer, and Nicki Minaj. - Kathy Najimy (Sister Mary Patrick)
Biography & Current Status: Najimy is a celebrated actress and a vocal social justice activist. She is currently filming the Disney project *The Soul Patrol* alongside Eric Idle and Tommy Davidson. She also continues her iconic voice work as Peggy Hill in the revival of the Emmy Award-winning animated series King of the Hill. Her return as the enthusiastically joyful Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act 3 has been mentioned in recent reports. - Wendy Makkena (Sister Mary Robert)
Biography & Current Status: Makkena, who played the shy-turned-powerful singer Sister Mary Robert, has continued her acting career in film and television. She was recently seen at the Sunderland Shorts Film Festival for the premiere of her latest project. She is also attached to an upcoming 2025 short film titled *Whispers of Freedom*. Fans will be thrilled to know she is also expected to reprise her role in Sister Act 3. - Dame Maggie Smith (Mother Superior)
Biography & Current Status: The legendary, Oscar-winning actress who played the formidable Mother Superior passed away on September 27, 2024, at the age of 89. Her last major film was *The Miracle Club* (2023). Whoopi Goldberg has since confirmed that the script for Sister Act 3 is undergoing "readjustments" to honor Dame Maggie Smith’s passing, as she was initially expected to return.
The St. Francis High Students: Where Are They Now?
The movie's heart lay with the talented students who found their voice through Deloris’s unconventional methods. Many of these young actors went on to have significant careers in music and film, defining the R&B and pop culture landscape of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Lauryn Hill (Rita Watson)
Lauryn Hill, who played the rebellious but immensely talented Rita Watson, is arguably the most successful musician to emerge from the cast. Following the film, she achieved global superstardom with The Fugees and her seminal, Grammy-winning solo album, *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill*. In 2025, she is actively touring, with concert dates scheduled across 2025 and 2026, solidifying her status as one of music's most respected and enigmatic figures.
Ryan Toby (Ahmal)
The actor who played the student Ahmal, famous for his incredible high notes in "Joyful, Joyful," is Maurice Ryan Toby. He went on to co-found the Grammy Award-nominated R&B trio City High, known for their 2001 hit "What Would You Do?" Toby remains active in the music industry as a songwriter and singer, continuing to tease new R&B projects and reflecting on his time in Sister Act 2.
Alanna Ubach (Maria)
Alanna Ubach, who portrayed the student Maria, has enjoyed a prolific career in both live-action and voice acting. In 2024, she starred as Susan Bennett in the Peacock prequel series *TED*, based on the film franchise. She is also widely known for her voice work, including the beloved role of Mama Imelda in Pixar's Oscar-winning film *Coco*. Her versatility has made her a highly sought-after character actress in Hollywood.
Jennifer Love Hewitt (Margaret)
Though a smaller role as the student Margaret, Jennifer Love Hewitt's appearance marked one of her earliest screen credits. She quickly rose to fame in the late 90s and 2000s with hit shows and films like *Party of Five* and *I Know What You Did Last Summer*. Her career is seeing a major resurgence in 2025 as she is reprising her iconic role as Julie James in the highly anticipated sequel to *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, a major film event for fans of 90s horror.
Tanya Blount (Tanya)
Tanya Blount, who played the student Tanya, the other half of the powerful duet "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," is now Tanya Trotter. She is an accomplished actress, author, and musician. She and her husband, Michael Trotter Jr., form the critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated folk/soul duo The War and Treaty. The duo continues to tour and release new music, bringing their powerful, gospel-infused sound to a global audience.
The Future: Sister Act 3 and The Enduring Legacy
The most exciting news for fans of the franchise is the confirmed development of Sister Act 3 for Disney+. Whoopi Goldberg has been vocal about her commitment to the project, which is being produced by Tyler Perry. The script, which was recently being reworked, will see the return of Deloris Van Cartier to the convent life, but will now have to navigate the absence of Mother Superior following Dame Maggie Smith’s passing.
The recent 30th-anniversary reunion on The View, which saw many of the original students perform their classic songs, proved the cast's chemistry and talent are timeless. The reunion not only celebrated the film's legacy but also fueled speculation that many of the adult students—including Lauryn Hill, Ryan Toby, and Tanya Trotter—could make cameo appearances in the upcoming sequel. The potential for a new generation of students to be taught by an adult Rita Watson or Ahmal is a thrilling prospect.
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit remains a beloved classic, remembered for its uplifting music, diverse cast, and powerful message about finding your voice. The current projects of the cast, from Whoopi’s continued reign on television to Lauryn Hill’s 2025 tour schedule and Jennifer Love Hewitt’s horror sequel, ensure that the legacy of St. Francis High School continues to resonate almost three decades later.
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