Sister Act actress played her character as gay and in love with Whoopi Goldberg
Wendy Makkena revealed she secretly played her Sister Act character as gay and attracted to Whoopi Goldberg. She made this personal creative choice without telling her co-stars or the director.
Wendy Makkena is known for the movie Sister Act. She played Sister Mary Robert in the 1992 film. She also played the same character in the 1993 sequel.
Makkena recently spoke on the podcast You Might Know Her From. She shared something surprising about her character. She said she secretly played Sister Mary Robert as gay. Her character was also attracted to Whoopi Goldberg's character, Deloris Van Cartier.
Makkena made this decision on her own. She did not tell Whoopi Goldberg about it. She also did not tell the director or other cast members. It was a personal creative choice she kept private during filming.
This kind of hidden queer storytelling has a name. It is called 'queerbaiting' by some, but others call it 'coding'. Actors sometimes add queer elements to their characters quietly. They do this when scripts do not include them. This was especially common in older films and TV shows.
Sister Act was made in 1992. At that time, openly gay characters were rare in big Hollywood films. Studios were often afraid to include LGBTQ+ stories. Many queer actors and filmmakers found quiet ways to add representation. Makkena's choice fits into this long history.
Fans of Sister Act have reacted warmly to Makkena's reveal. Many LGBTQ+ viewers said they always felt a special connection between the two characters. Some fans said they noticed the chemistry as children. They did not have the words for it then, but they felt it.
Whoopi Goldberg has not yet responded publicly to Makkena's comments. It is not known if she was aware of her co-star's interpretation during filming.
Sister Act remains a beloved classic. It is popular with many LGBTQ+ fans around the world. The film's themes of finding your true self and community speak to many queer people. Makkena's revelation adds a new and meaningful layer to the story. It shows how queer people have always found ways to see themselves on screen, even when Hollywood was not ready to show them openly.