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Whoopi Goldberg proved from her first film role that she was a star. But the early 1990s saw Goldberg not only win an Academy Award, but also land one of the biggest hits of her career.

Goldberg wasn’t the original choice for Sister Act, which was supposed to feature Bette Midler. Yet she delivered a standout performance. And the movie features a stellar supporting cast who almost universally did their own singing, with one notable exception.

Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, and Wendy Makkena perform on ‘The View’ with other singers dressed as nuns
Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, and Wendy Makkena | Paula Lobo/Disney General Entertainment Content

Was Wendy Makkena really singing in ‘Sister Act’?

Though most of the Sister Act cast did their own singing in the film, there was one notable exception. According to Mental Floss, Wendy Makkena — who plays Sister Mary Robert — did not sing onscreen. Rather, singer and actor Andrea Robinson (The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning) dubbed her vocal performance in Sister Act and its 1993 sequel.

Sister Mary Robert’s story in Sister Act centers on the timid young nun literally finding her voice. So perhaps it’s no surprise that a professional singer stepped in to give the character a more distinctive sound. Thanks to Makkena and Robinson’s collective efforts, Sister Mary Roberts emerges as easily one of the movie’s most endearing characters.

Whoopi Goldberg sings in 1992’s ‘Sister Act’

In Sister Act, Goldberg plays a Reno lounge singer who witnesses her mobster boyfriend (Harvey Keitel) commit a murder. To keep her safe until she can testify against him, the government hides Deloris Van Cartier (Goldberg) in a convent. But while there, she takes charge of the convent’s choir and gains widespread attention for her work.

Naturally, Goldberg’s role requires not only deft comic timing but also the willingness to sing onscreen. After all, Sister Act is as much a musical as it is a fish-out-of-water comedy. And the actor rises to the challenge with soulful vocals that make her wholly believable as an entertainer who finds a new outlet in the most unexpected of places.

What is the status of ‘Sister Act 3′?

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With Goldberg officially signed on to Sister Act 3, fans are buzzing about which actors from the previous films could also make their returns. In 2017, Goldberg reunited on The View with a variety of co-stars, including Kathy Najimy and Makkena. Then there’s the possibility that actors from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit could return as well. For her part, Najimy has hinted about joining the film.

Tyler Perry is also on board as a producer for the sequel, which is expected to be released on Disney+ when the time comes. Director Tim Federle and screenwriter Madhuri Shekar are also attached.

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