In the film Sister Act, most of the cast members actually did their own singing. However, there was one exception to this. Wendy Makkena, who played the role of Sister Mary Robert, did not sing onscreen. Instead, her singing voice was dubbed by another actress.
Sister Act is a musical comedy film that features a talented ensemble cast, including Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, and Kathy Najimy. The story follows a lounge singer named Deloris Van Cartier, played by Goldberg, who witnesses a murder and is placed in protective custody in a convent. There, she transforms the struggling choir of nuns into a sensational singing group.
Goldberg, being an accomplished singer herself, performed all of her own singing in the film. Her powerful and soulful voice brought the character of Deloris to life and added an extra layer of authenticity to the musical performances. The same can be said for the other nuns in the film, such as Sister Mary Patrick (played by Kathy Najimy) and Sister Mary Lazarus (played by Mary Wickes), who also showcased their singing abilities onscreen.
However, Wendy Makkena, who portrayed the shy and timid Sister Mary Robert, did not sing her own parts in the film. Her singing voice was actually provided by Andrea Robinson, an accomplished singer and voice actress. Robinson’s voice was seamlessly blended with Makkena’s performance, creating the illusion that it was Makkena herself singing.
While it may seem disappointing that Makkena did not sing onscreen, it is not uncommon for actors to have their voices dubbed in musical films. Sometimes, this is done to ensure that the character’s singing voice matches their persona or to enhance the overall quality of the musical performances.
In the case of Sister Mary Robert, the decision to have her singing voice dubbed was likely made to create a contrast between her shy and reserved personality and the powerful, belting voices of the other nuns. Makkena’s acting and portrayal of the character were still integral to the film’s success, even if her singing voice was not her own.
While most of the cast members in Sister Act did their own singing, Wendy Makkena’s singing voice was dubbed by another actress. This decision was likely made to achieve the desired musical and character dynamics in the film. Nonetheless, the talented ensemble cast, including the incredible singing performances by Whoopi Goldberg and the other nuns, contributed greatly to the success and enjoyment of the film.