When the massive global box-office haul of the original film, over $231 million worldwide, prompted an immediate sequel, Disney moved fast. Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit hit theaters in December 1993, directed by Bill Duke. The sequel relocated the core convent cast to an inner-city Catholic school, St. Francis High School, where Deloris once again helped troubled youths find their voices.
Despite the narrative shifting toward a younger cast featuring a breakout Lauryn Hill, Wickes remained essential to the franchise's heartbeat. In the sequel, Lazarus embraced the changing cultural winds with her signature dry wit, notably leaning into modern musical rhythms alongside her fellow sisters. Audiences were treated to the sight of Wickes bobbing her head to hip-hop beats, completely unfazed by the generational shift.
Behind the scenes, Wickes was battling declining health, but colleagues noted she never allowed physical ailments to slow her rhythm. Her presence acted as an anchor for the younger cast members. She treated comedy like high-precision engineering, instructing those around her to protect the beat of the joke at all costs.
