Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph appeared on Jemele Hill’s podcast, Jemele Hill is Unbothered and shared the backstory regarding her star-studded wedding photo. 

The Abbott Elementary star disclosed details surrounding her legendary bridal party after she married Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles on July 30, 2005.

While seated next to her husband, Ralph had assembled an iconic group of Black women to be in the photo. The ten bridesmaids included Patti LaBelle, Loretta Devine, Niecy Nash, Divorce Court’s Judge Mablean Ephriam, AJ Johnson, Jenifer Lewis, and Victoria Rowell. They were photographed wearing lavender dresses with various patterns and different hairstyles. 

Additionally, the 65-year-old shared that a few of her celebrity friends were disappointed after she didn’t ask them to sing during the ceremony.

“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,” she 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,” Ralph said. 

Lewis also appeared upset after telling the Dreamgirls star that she wanted to sing as she walked 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 explained. “‘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 shared the hilarious story involving Lewis in a 2019 Instagram post as she celebrated her 14th wedding anniversary. 

“It’s a wedding story for you! And it involves @jeniferlewisforreal LAWD!!!” she captioned the video.

Lewis responded to the video, writing, “ALL Lies. I would never do such a thing. I remember being very shy and sweet and supportive. OK, I’m lying. It’s all true. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

Watch the full episode of the podcast below.