Sheryl Lee Ralph is finally getting her flowers in a major way—she just received her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, April 16, 2025!
The ceremony went down on Hollywood Boulevard, with Entertainment Tonight’s Nischelle Turner hosting the moment. Ralph was joined by some familiar faces, including her Abbott Elementary co-star Quinta Brunson and her longtime friend Loretta Devine, who both showed up to celebrate the living legend.
At 68, Ralph’s résumé is stacked. From originating the role of Deena Jones in Dreamgirls on Broadway to playing everyone’s favorite TV mom on Moesha, to snatching an Emmy in 2022 for Abbott Elementary—Sheryl’s been doing this for decades. And today, she was honored with the 2,808th star on the Walk of Fame (source).
During her speech, Sheryl got emotional as she looked back on her journey, shouting out the Black women who paved the way—legends like Cicely Tyson and Ruby Dee. “This star isn’t just mine,” she said. “It belongs to every performer who made space for me when there seemed to be no space” (Essence).
Her family came out too—her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, her kids, and even her sorors from Delta Sigma Theta showed up in support.
This moment comes just weeks after Ralph revealed she’s been dealing with PTSD following a serious car accident. But even through the pain, she’s been staying positive and pushing forward. “Dreams don’t have an expiration date,” she said in a recent interview.
Today was all about honoring a woman who’s broken barriers, inspired generations, and still isn’t done yet. Congrats to Sheryl Lee Ralph—true icon energy.
