Sheryl Lee Ralph Shares Backstory About Star-Studded 2005 Wedding Photo

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph spoke with Jemele Hill on her podcast Jemele Hill is Unbothered and gave fans a tidbit about her legendary star-studded wedding photo.

The Abbott Elementary star shared gems about her iconic bridal party when she wed Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles on July 30, 2005, according to xoNecole.

Ralph assembled an all-star of Black girl magic bridesmaids.

In the iconic photo, Ralph sits next to her new husband Hughes and is surrounded by actresses of the Black Hollywood elite. Patti LaBelle, Loretta Devine, Niecy Nash, Divorce Court’s Judge Mablean Ephriam, AJ Johnson, Jenifer Lewis and Victoria Rowell are seen in the photo, wearing variations of lavender bridal gowns with soft makeup, tasteful jewelry and stylish hairdos.

But Ralph shared that a few of her celebrity friends were disappointed that she didn’t ask them to sing at her nuptials.

“Patti LaBelle, who was actually upset that I did not ask her to sing. And for me, I really wanted the bonds of friendship and sisterhood,” Ralph said. “I did not want her to think that I was asking her to be in my bridal party because I wanted her to sing. No, I wanted your sisterhood, I wanted your friendship.”

One of the hilarious revelations about her special day was about Lewis who also wanted to provide her vocal talents at her friend’s wedding. She told Ralph that she planned to hog the spotlight when she strolled down the aisle.

“Now, you have to imagine this, this is true. The doors are about to open for the bridal party to come down the aisle. Jenifer Lewis pulls me aside. I’m the bride, and says,” the actress began. “‘Now Ralph, I know this is your wedding and it is you, the bride,’ she said. ‘But I may never have one of these and so when those doors open, it is all about me.’ We have it all on film. When the doors opened and she walked down the aisle, oh, Jenifer Lewis was the bride.”

Ralph recounted the events of her wedding and Lewis’ antics on her Instagram in 2019 while celebrating her 14th wedding anniversary.

“It’s a wedding story for you! And it involves @jeniferlewisforreal LAWD!!!” she wrote on Instagram.

Jenifer replied to her post in her true dramatic fashion, saying “ALL Lies. I would never do such a thing. I remember being very shy and sweet and supportive. OK I’m llying it’s all true.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”