Sheryl Lee Ralph is ending her banner year on a high note. The newly minted Emmy winner is releasing a Christmas album aptly titled “Sleigh,” and we already know it’s going to be filled with festive bangers. Ralph shared the news on Nov. 1 with “Today” show hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, who slipped in a brief mention of the project at the end of their interview.
“Mariah is freaking out,” Hager said, of course referencing the Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey. They also offered a glimpse at the album artwork, which features the “Abbott Elementary” star looking gorgeous as ever in a red dress and matching lipstick.
Ralph again teased her forthcoming musical project that evening during a “Late Night With Seth Meyers” interview, confirming there’s a bit of double entendre at play with the title. “S-l-e-i-g-h, but it all depends on how you say it, because we are going to slay,” she joked.
Ralph has yet to reveal any additional information, such as a release date, song titles, and possible collaborations, and her reps did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR’s request for comment. But seeing as she’s already a holiday queen in her own right, having starred in multiple Hallmark Christmas films throughout her decades-long career, we know the album will a treat.
A seasoned Broadway icon, Ralph has reminded fans of her powerhouse vocals several times throughout the year. In September, she belted out “Endangered Species” by Dianne Reeves while accepting her first Emmy – a performance she recreated at the Women in Film Honors in Los Angeles last week. Also in September, she teamed up with Jennifer Hudson for a nostalgic “Dreamgirls” duet. (Ralph previously portrayed Deena Jones in the original 1981 Broadway production.) “Sleigh” will be the Ralph’s second album, following “In the Evening” in 1984, and several non-album singles throughout the ’90s.
In addition to her historic Emmys win and upcoming music project, Ralph has had quite the action-packed year: the 65-year-old actor will appear in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Vol. 4 show on Nov. 9, is currently producing the Broadway play “Ohio State Murders,” and is, of course, starring as Barbara Howard on season two of “Abbott Elementary.” EGOT status, here she comes.
