Liza Minnelli Sets the Record Straight on Her Viral 2022 Oscars Appearance
For years, fans have wondered about the poignant yet puzzling moment at the 2022 Academy Awards when Liza Minnelli appeared to struggle while presenting the Best Picture Oscar alongside Lady Gaga. Now 79, the legendary performer is pulling back the curtain on what really happened behind the scenes, revealing that the viral stumble was the result of a last-minute production mandate rather than a lapse in memory.
During the ceremony, Minnelli was seated in a wheelchair, receiving a thunderous standing ovation from the Hollywood elite. As she shuffled through her notes, appearing momentarily disoriented, Gaga stepped in with a gentle hand on her shoulder, whispering, “I got you,” to which Minnelli affectionately replied, “I know.” It was a touching display of mutual respect, but according to Minnelli’s upcoming memoir, Kids, Wait Til You Hear This, she was far from happy with the arrangement.
The Conflict Behind the Scenes
In an exclusive excerpt shared with People, the EGOT winner reveals she had initially requested to sit in a director’s chair for the presentation. However, just moments before she was set to take the stage, she claims she was “ordered” to use a wheelchair instead.
“I was told it was because of my age and for safety reasons… which was bulls—t. I was heartbroken,” Minnelli writes. “How would you feel if you were wheeled out, against your will, to perform in front of a live audience, and unable to see clearly?”
Minnelli explains that the lower seating position made it nearly impossible to see the teleprompter. This forced perspective caused the hesitation that many viewers misinterpreted. Despite her internal frustration, she praises Gaga for her quick thinking and for playing the “kindhearted hero” on a night that celebrated the 50th anniversary of Minnelli’s iconic role in Cabaret.
A Legacy of Graciousness
Following the broadcast, Gaga reportedly visited Minnelli’s dressing room to check on her well-being. Despite being deeply distressed by the production’s demands, Minnelli chose to take the high road. “I learned this lesson years ago from Mama and Papa,” she reflects, referring to Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. “At a moment of high stress, you stay gracious.”
The memoir, scheduled for release on March 10, is a comprehensive look at a life lived in the spotlight. Based on over a decade of interviews with her confidant Michael Feinstein, the book promises to cover everything from her upbringing with screen icon Judy Garland to her turbulent marriage to David Gest and her successful journey to sobriety 11 years ago.
Co-authored by Josh Getlin and Heidi Evans, Kids, Wait Til You Hear This serves as a definitive testament to the resilience of one of entertainment’s last true living legends.
