Liza Minnelli Slams Oscars Over Wheelchair Incident at 2022 Ceremony
Liza Minnelli, the celebrated performer whose career spans decades of stage and screen, is revisiting a moment from the 2022 Academy Awards that she describes as deeply upsetting. In excerpts from her forthcoming memoir, “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!”, Minnelli alleges she was “inexplicably ordered” to use a wheelchair during the presentation of the Best Picture Oscar, a decision she attributes to ageism and a disregard for her wishes.
The incident, which occurred alongside Lady Gaga during the 94th Academy Awards ceremony on , has resurfaced as Minnelli prepares to release her memoir on . Minnelli, 79, details a last-minute change of plans, stating she had anticipated sitting in a director’s chair but was instead told she would have to be 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,” she writes, adding, “I will not be treated this way.”
Minnelli’s account paints a picture of distress and a feeling of being stripped of agency. She claims the wheelchair placement hindered her ability to comfortably read the teleprompter, leading to a stumble over her lines. While Gaga “didn’t miss a beat to play the kindhearted hero for all the world to see,” Minnelli’s memoir reveals a sense of heartbreak and frustration over the situation. “I was much lower down than I would have been in the director’s chair. Now I couldn’t easily read the teleprompter above me,” she wrote.
The 2022 Oscars presentation held particular significance as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of “Cabaret,” the 1972 musical film for which Minnelli won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her appearance with Gaga was intended as a tribute to that milestone, but Minnelli’s memoir suggests the event was overshadowed by the circumstances surrounding her physical presentation.
Minnelli’s career has been marked by a consistent dedication to performance, encompassing iconic roles in films like “Cabaret” and appearances in television shows such as “Arrested Development” and “Sex and the City 2.” She is the daughter of the legendary Judy Garland, and has navigated a life in the spotlight with both triumph and personal challenges, including ongoing struggles with health issues, specifically chronic back pain that required surgery in .
The memoir’s revelations come after similar claims were made by pianist Michael Feinstein, a close friend of Minnelli, regarding the Oscar incident. While details of Feinstein’s account haven’t been widely publicized, they corroborate Minnelli’s assertion that the wheelchair arrangement was not her preference.
Minnelli’s frustration extends beyond the physical discomfort and logistical challenges. She expresses a deeper concern about being treated with respect and dignity as a performer. “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?” she asks rhetorically in the memoir.
As of , neither Lady Gaga nor the Academy have publicly responded to the claims made in Minnelli’s memoir. The lack of immediate comment adds to the weight of Minnelli’s account, leaving unanswered questions about the decision-making process that led to the controversial presentation. The incident raises broader questions about the treatment of veteran performers and the importance of respecting their agency and preferences, even during high-profile events.
The release of “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!” is expected to generate further discussion about this moment and Minnelli’s remarkable life and career. The memoir promises a candid and personal look behind the scenes of a Hollywood legend, offering a new perspective on a moment that continues to resonate within the entertainment industry.