Ryan Toby has shared a heartfelt and honest memory from the filming days of the classic 1993 movie Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. While looking back at his time on the film, the actor and singer admitted that he fell in love with his co-star Lauryn Hill during production. However, the sweet crush ended in disappointment when he found out she was already dating Moses the Black star Omar Epps.
The revelation came while Ryan Toby appeared on the R&B Money Podcast, hosted by Tank and J. Valentine. During the conversation, Toby spoke openly about his early days in Hollywood and the strong bond he felt with Lauryn Hill while filming the movie.
Toby explained that both he and Hill were young actors from New Jersey, which helped them connect quickly. He said they spent a lot of time together because they were among the few real high school students in the cast. Along with Jennifer Love Hewitt, they attended on-set tutoring while the rest of the cast was much older.
While staying at the Oakwood Apartments in Los Angeles during filming, Toby said his feelings for Hill grew stronger. He admitted he had a serious crush and believed there might be something special there. But those hopes were crushed when Lauryn Hill’s real-life boyfriend came to visit her on set.
According to Toby, the moment he realized she was dating Omar Epps was painful and unforgettable. Though he laughed about it years later, he admitted that the heartbreak still stings a little. He also shared that the moment taught him an important life lesson about confidence and going after what you want.
In an interview with PEOPLE in 2024, Toby also reflected on the fun and innocent memories from filming Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. He recalled playful nights driving around the Hollywood Hills with Hill and fellow cast member Deondray Gossfield, playing harmless pranks and acting like normal teenagers.
Looking back, Ryan Toby described the experience as pure and joyful. He said they were just kids enjoying a rare moment in their lives, long before fame and adult responsibilities took over.
Today, Sister Act 2 remains a beloved film, and Toby’s story adds a warm, human layer to its behind-the-scenes history.
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Ryan Toby Looks Back on Sister Act 2 and His Bond With Lauryn Hill
Updated August 2026. Ryan Toby, who played Ahmal in 1993’s Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, has spoken about his real-life crush on co-star Lauryn Hill during filming, as well as his heartbreak learning years later about Omar Epps’ connection to the cast. The gospel-choir comedy, filmed with Whoopi Goldberg reprising her role as Deloris Van Cartier, remains a beloved ’90s favorite, particularly for its musical numbers featuring a then-teenage Hill. Toby has continued performing music since the film and often discusses the production’s lighthearted set atmosphere in interviews marking the movie’s ongoing popularity with new generations of fans discovering it through streaming.
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