Liza Minnelli has expressed her feelings regarding her unexpected appearance at the 2022 Oscars, where she anticipated presenting the best picture category from a director’s chair but instead found herself in a wheelchair. In an excerpt from her forthcoming memoir, “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!”, Minnelli reveals that she was instructed to use a wheelchair rather than her preferred chair, which led to significant challenges during the live broadcast.
In the memoir excerpt shared by People, Minnelli describes the moment as distressing, stating, “I was inexplicably ordered—not even asked—to sit in a wheelchair or not appear at all. I was told it was because of my age, and for safety reasons, because I might slip out of the director’s chair, which was bullshit.” This decision not only affected her physically, making it harder to read the teleprompter, but also emotionally, as she felt disappointed and heartbroken.
The actress further recounts how she stumbled over her words during the presentation but was supported by Lady Gaga, who was on stage with her at the time. Gaga quickly assured her with the words, “I got you,” and after the presentation, checked in on Minnelli in her dressing room. Minnelli shared her admiration for Gaga, stating, “I’m a big fan,” emphasizing her belief that maintaining grace under pressure is an important lesson learned from her parents.
Michael Feinstein, a longtime friend of Minnelli’s, has discussed the incident, suggesting that her appearance was not as she intended. He revealed that Minnelli had agreed to participate in the Oscars only if she could sit in a director’s chair due to ongoing back issues, expressing her desire not to be seen limping in front of an audience.
A source connected to the 2022 Oscars commented that the decision to have Minnelli in a wheelchair was made when it became clear that it was necessary for her safety, as part of the event’s efforts to protect the beloved actress.
Minnelli’s memoir, “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!”, is set to be released on March 10, offering further insights into her experiences and reflections. Despite the difficulties she faced, Minnelli’s story highlights her resilience and dedication to maintaining a graceful presence in the spotlight.