After leading a musical reunion of Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit last week, Tanya Trotter of The War And Treaty is opening up about making Whoopi Goldberg cry tears of joy and sharing an update about the long-awaited Sister Act 3.
ET’s Rachel Smith spoke with Tanya, alongside her husband, Michael Trotter Jr. — who make up the singing duo The War And Treaty — backstage at Nissan Stadium during day 3 of this year’s CMA Fest in Nashville on Saturday.
During the conversation, Tanya reflected on her recent appearance on The View, where she helped lead Goldberg and her Sister Act 2 co-stars Kathy Najimy (Sister Mary Patrick), Wendy Makkena (Sister Mary Robert), and Sheryl Lee Ralph — as well as a huge number of actors who played the students of Goldberg’s character, Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence — in a show-stopping performance of “Joyful, Joyful.”
“It was fantastic!” Tanya reflected on the experience.
“The whole audience — what y’all couldn’t see — we all were just [sobbing],” recalled Michael, who came out to support his wife of 10 years during the taping. “We were a mess!”
Tanya — who had a notable role in 1993’s Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit — admitted to ET that she can’t confirm whether or not she’ll play a role in Goldberg’s planned Sister Act 3, but did share an update on the film’s progress.
“Well, I can’t say [whether or not I’m a part of it], but I do know that the script is done,” Tanya shared.
When asked if she’d be interested in coming back for the third film, Tanya exclaimed, “Anything that Whoopi Goldberg is a part of — ’cause she’s a legend, she’s an icon, she’s my mentor, hero — yes, I would say yes.”
Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War And Treaty perform onstage during the 2024 CMA Music festival at Nissan Stadium on June 8, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. – Terry Wyatt/WireImage
ET spoke with Goldberg in May at Patti LaBelle’s 80th birthday celebration in New York City, and the 68-year-old actress and TV host said that while most details are being kept under lock and key at this time, those who have been waiting 30 years since the last film came out will be happy to hear that things are happening behind the scenes.
“I can say it’s coming,” Goldberg shared. “It’s coming around the mountain when it comes. It’ll be here soon. I’m excited. It’s time for it, you know, it’s time.”
The legendary actress added that after years of delays, she believes now is the right time to move it forward.
“Because we need to laugh, you know?” she said. “I don’t know what we’re going into, but whatever it is, I’m gonna need to chuckle a lot…I think I’m good when I make other people laugh, too.”
Meanwhile, CMA Fest — hosted by Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde — airs June 25 on ABC.
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