Liza Minnelli Slams Oscars for Making Her Sit in Wheelchair, Calls Out Lady Gaga in New Memoir

Liza Minnelli is releasing her memoir “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This” in March and an excerpt from the book shares her side of the story from the 2022 Oscars.

The legendary performer appeared as a presenter alongside Lady Gaga at the Oscars four years ago to present the award for Best Picture to CODA. She was there to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her Oscar-winning movie Cabaret.

In the book, Liza claims that she originally thought she would be sitting in a director’s chair on stage, but was told at the last-minute that she had to sit in a wheelchair. She also calls out Gaga, claiming it was her choice.

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“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. I will not be treated this way, I said. My co-presenter insisted she would not go on stage with me unless I was in a wheelchair,” Liza wrote in the book (via People).

“I was heartbroken,” she continued. “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. 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? So when I stumbled over a few words, Gaga, who was at my side, didn’t miss a beat to play the kindhearted hero for all the world to see. ‘I got you,’ she said, leaning down over me.”

Liza wrote that Gaga came to her dressing room after the on-stage moment to ask if she was “okay” after learning she was in distress.

“I looked at her and said simply, ‘I’m a big fan.’ I learned this lesson years ago from Mama and Papa. At a moment of high stress, you stay gracious,” Liza said. “The winner for best picture that year was CODA. I loved the irony of the title for me Writing my memoir would be my coda, my truth. There’s always a rainbow — if you know where to look for it.”

Back in 2022, Liza‘s best friend, who was backstage with her at the Oscars, spoke out and claimed that she was “sabotaged” that night.

Liza just released her first new song in 13 years and she’s defending her use of AI to complete the track.