Loretta Devine Reflects on Friendship With Sheryl Lee Ralph During Dreamway Broadway Days; ‘We Were in The Line…’

Loretta Devine is reminiscing about her friendship and disagreements with Sheryl Lee Ralph. On April 16, Devine attended Ralph’s star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, where she spoke candidly about their “major disputes” that occurred during the four years they shared a stage in Dreamgirls on Broadway.

In the 1980s, these two friends weren’t just acting partners but also shared a home. Their first argument occurred over a theatrical performance. During one scene, Devine unintentionally bumped her head against a prop (a piece of wooden scenery used in a play) because Ralph wasn’t moving swiftly enough.

In line, it was her turn to perform, but she didn’t seem inclined to do so. Divine exclaimed, “It looked like she was trying to end my life!” She playfully added.

In a second disagreement, they clashed over the shade of wall paint – an issue often debated among roommates. Devine remembered her friend and shared living space opting for a “Pepto-Bismol pink” dressing room, which sparked the argument. Following this squabble, their backstage atmosphere remained strained and seemingly unjust.

Originally, they weren’t part of the promotional excursion to Los Angeles featuring Jennifer Holliday, Debbie Burrell, and new cast members; however, they received photos of an elegant dressing room adorned with a pink couch, which sparked Sheryl’s desire for an upgrade, as Devine reminisced.

In my own words, I must admit that every evening, our journey to the stage was a lengthy one. We would descend to the basement, traverse its stairway, and then ascend another set of stairs to reach the stage itself. This arduous backstage trek certainly added to the discomfort of the pre-performance moments.

In an unfortunate turn of events, the producers displayed provocative posters of the new actresses in revealing attire. However, it was revealed that Ralph strongly disliked these promotional materials and had the courage to take them down from the doors. “That’s Sheryl Lee Ralph,” Devine stated, “she was bold back then, and she remains strong today.

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2025-04-19 20:37