NEW YORK (AP) — Her wish is being granted: Sherri Shepherd plans to join the hit musical “Aladdin” as the Genie.
The Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show host and NAACP Image Award winner will slip into the magical role from Oct. 16 to Jan. 3.
“I’ve taken my family, my nieces and nephews, to see this musical and I never dreamed that I would one day be a part of the ‘Aladdin’ family. So I am beyond thrilled,” Shepherd tells The Associated Press.
“All of the children that are coming in that theater, I want them to feel the same way I felt when I was a little girl, and I saw Stephanie Mills in ‘The Wiz,’” she says.
Shepherd is taking dance and voice lessons and belting out her soon-to-be signature song, “Friend Like Me,” on long walks through the city to prepare for the wisecracking, high-energy role that won James Monroe Iglehart a Tony Award in 2014.
Weren't there any easier options? “My whole career has never been the easy way,” she replied. “My whole life is, ‘If it scares you, then you say yes.’ And this is no different because it’s completely out of my comfort zone.”
The role will mark Shepherd's second trip to Broadway. In 2014, she played the evil Stepmother in “Cinderella.” Her other theater credits include the off-Broadway shows “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” “Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words” and Joy Behar’s “My First Ex-Husband.”
Shepherd, a podcaster and author who was a co-host of “The View” and had her own talk show, “Sherri,” said she's asked her Broadway friends for help.
“I’m talking to my friends, Kristin Chenoweth; Steven Boyer, who was in ‘Kimberly Akimbo;’ Wayne Brady — anybody I know who has been on Broadway. I am calling them up going, ‘Help me, help me, help me’ and getting a lot of advice.”
“Aladdin” is a musical adaptation of the 1992 movie starring Robin Williams. The musical’s story, by Chad Beguelin, hews close to the film: A street urchin finds a genie in a lamp and hopes to woo a princess while staying true to his values and away from palace intrigue. It's often the first Broadway show children see.
“I want the children to see the possibilities," said Shepherd. "I want the little girls to say, ‘Oh yeah. I know I used to dress as a princess, but I could be the Genie. I can make wishes come true. Maybe I could be president.’”
FILE - Sherri Shepherd attends the premiere of the Starz television series "Fightland" at Jazz at Lincoln Center on July 21, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP, File)
BERLIN (AP) — Breanna Stewart knows exactly how much pressure the U.S. team is under to keep its World Cup title streak going.
The Americans have won four straight women's FIBA World Cup championships and she's been a part of the last three. Now the 32-year-old is the leader of a group that features many fresh faces.
“There’s a ton of pressure, on team USA and on us and embracing that,” she told The Associated Press. “Not having the team face it in a bad way, but understanding the ones that have been before us and what they’ve done. We want to continue to have success every time.”
With the Americans coming off one of their worst offensive performances in a half century, Stewart took it upon herself to set a tone early in the 105-64 rout of the Czech Republic on Monday. Stewart had 11 points in the first 10 minutes as the U.S. jumped to a 29-15 lead and never looked back.
“I just wanted to be better. I just wanted to really lead by example,” Stewart said after the win. “Not only just from stats, but just the way that I was communicating to my teammates. This is a big moment for all of us and we need to take full advantage of it.”
Caitlin Clark, with the national team for the first time, said that after the narrow win over Italy, Stewart came into the weight room where a few of the youngsters were lifting. The team captain could tell they were a little down after the tight victory and had a conversation with them.
“I just want you guys to know this is how it is. Don’t be intimidated by that. This is just how this goes. The games are going to be close. That doesn’t mean like you should feel defeated in any way,” Clark recalled. “I thought that was just a really good thing we needed to hear. Don’t let that bother you. These games are going to be hard.”
Stewart learned from some of the best leaders in Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. First-time national team player Angel Reese has gravitated toward Stewart and her leadership style.
“She's won before and knows what it takes,” Reese said of the three-time World Cup champion. “I remember watching her play for USA Basketball when I was younger.”
Stewart is no stranger to being a calming influence as a veteran leader. She helped guide the New York Liberty to the first championship in franchise history two years ago.
Now the Americans are in the win-or-go-home phase with the quarterfinals on Thursday. They'll face the winner of the Hungary vs. Japan game on Tuesday.
U.S. coach Kara Lawson knows that for the Americans to keep the streak, which includes 33 consecutive victories overall in the World Cup dating to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2006, she'll need Stewart and Napheesa Collier to be a veteran presence.
“They are two of the best players in the world. It’s not my job to convince them that they’re good, but to remind them that they know who they are and what they bring to the team.”
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
Czechia's Natalie Stoupalova guards Breanna Stewart, of the United States, during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Czechia in Berlin, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Czechia's Julie Pospisilova guards Breanna Stewart, of the United States, during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Czechia in Berlin, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Breanna Stewart, of the United States, reacts during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Czechia in Berlin, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Czechia's Alena Hanusova guards Breanna Stewart, of the United States, during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Czechia in Berlin, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
