Liza Minnelli Says She Was Required to Use Wheelchair During 2022 Oscars Appearance
Liza Minnelli writes in her forthcoming memoir that she was required to appear in a wheelchair at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony, despite expecting to be seated in a director’s chair for the presentation.
In Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, Minnelli recounts that she was informed shortly before the broadcast that she would need to use a wheelchair or not participate in the segment at all. According to excerpts reported by Variety, she says the decision was framed as a safety precaution related to her age, with concerns that she might slip from a higher chair. Minnelli disputes that explanation in the book, describing the directive as upsetting and unnecessary.
Minnelli appeared at the ceremony alongside Lady Gaga to present the award for Best Picture. The moment was intended to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cabaret, the 1972 musical that earned Minnelli the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her appearance was billed as a celebratory return to the Oscars stage, where she has been a frequent presence over the course of her career.
In the memoir, Minnelli writes that being seated lower than anticipated created practical difficulties during the live broadcast. She says she was unable to clearly see the teleprompter positioned above her, contributing to pauses and missed lines during the presentation. At several points, she appeared to stumble over her words. Gaga, standing beside her, placed a hand on Minnelli’s shoulder and told her, “I got this,” before continuing with the scripted remarks. The gesture was widely interpreted by viewers as a supportive response to a live television moment that had become tense.
Minnelli writes that she felt heartbroken by the circumstances surrounding her appearance, particularly the lack of consultation about the seating decision. She questions how anyone would feel being brought onstage in a way they did not choose, particularly during a globally televised event. At the same time, she emphasizes that she remained composed throughout the evening.
In the book, Minnelli recalls Gaga approaching her backstage afterward to ask if she was all right. Minnelli says she responded warmly, describing herself as a fan. She attributes her composure to lessons she learned from her parents, Judy Garland, and Vincente Minnelli, about maintaining grace during moments of stress. Garland, an Academy Award nominee and screen icon, and Vincente Minnelli, a director known for musicals including An American in Paris, were both central figures in Hollywood during Minnelli’s upbringing.
Minnelli has a long history with the Oscars. Before winning for Cabaret, she was nominated for Best Actress for The Sterile Cuckoo. Her career spans film, theater, and music, and she remains closely associated with classic Hollywood musicals and Broadway performances. The 2022 appearance was widely anticipated, in part because it marked a rare public outing following health challenges in recent years.
The Oscars segment remains one of the most discussed live television moments of that ceremony. With the publication of her memoir, Minnelli offers a detailed account of what led up to it and how she experienced it in real time.
The Academy has not publicly commented on Minnelli’s account.
