Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sen. Vincent Hughes renew their wedding vows at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
'The Abbott Elementary' star got to be 'a little bit of a bride again.' She is also gunning for an unusual but very Philly record.
Sheryl Lee Ralph ascended the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art steps to Diana Ross’ classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” in a dazzling strapless white Monsoori Haute Couture gown on July 31.
Around her shoulders was an 80-foot shawl. As 22 Philadanco ballerinas carried the shawl up the museum’s 72 steps, Ralph’s husband, Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Pa.) — who looked smart in a white suit jacket and black trousers — escorted Ralph into the museum.
There, the couple renewed their wedding vows in celebration of their 20th anniversary.
“How could I walk up all of those steps without leaving a trail of something for everybody to look at?” the Abbott Elementary star said, joking to Vogue, which she alerted in advance of the ceremony.
More than 250 people attended last week’s grand nuptials, according to a People magazine article, including Al Roker and Ralph’s Delta, Sigma Theta sorority sisters. After the nuptials, the bride did a surprise performance of “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole.
Ralph and Hughes married for the first time in July 2005. In January, she told People magazine that her living arrangement — she lives in Hollywood and Hughes lives 3,000 miles away in Philadelphia — worked for the couple because when they see each other, they are excited to reunite.
Ralph told Vogue her over-the-top look — and the cinematic location — were all part of her vision of making a grand entrance.
“Why shouldn’t I be a little bit of a bride again?” she told Vogue. “I’m hoping that I get to have the longest veil in that Rocky Steps history.”