Liza Minnelli Alleges She Was Forced into Wheelchair at 2022 Oscars
In a shocking revelation from her upcoming memoir, legendary actress and singer Liza Minnelli claims she was compelled to use a wheelchair during her appearance at the 94th Annual Academy Awards in 2022. The incident, which occurred while she presented the Best Picture award alongside pop superstar Lady Gaga, has now been described by Minnelli as a deeply distressing and humiliating experience.
Memoir Excerpts Detail Controversial Moment
According to excerpts published by major outlets including People, Variety, and USA Today, Minnelli writes in her book Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! that she had agreed to present at the Oscars under the condition she could sit in a director's chair due to ongoing back issues. However, moments before taking the stage, producers allegedly demanded she use a wheelchair instead.
"I was inexplicably ordered — not even asked — to sit in a wheelchair or not appear at all," Minnelli recounts. "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 bulls—. '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."
Minnelli Describes Emotional Impact and Embarrassment
The Cabaret star expressed that the forced wheelchair use left her heartbroken and embarrassed in front of the global television audience. She noted that being lower in the wheelchair made it difficult to read the TelePrompTer, contributing to her stumbling over words during the live broadcast.
"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 questions in her memoir. "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."
Friend Alleges Sabotage and Links to Will Smith Incident
Minnelli's friend, Michael Feinstein, supported her claims in a previous interview, suggesting the production team was shaken up after Will Smith's infamous slap of Chris Rock earlier in the evening. Feinstein stated that just five minutes before her appearance, stage managers insisted on the wheelchair, leaving Minnelli with no choice but to comply or withdraw.
"She only agreed to appear on the Oscars if she would be in the director’s chair because she’s been having back trouble," Feinstein explained. "She said, 'I don’t want people to see me limping out there. I want to look good. I don’t want people to worry about me.'"
Memoir to Address Multiple Controversies
Scheduled for release on March 10, Minnelli's memoir promises to delve into this sabotaged appearance along with other personal and professional disputes. The daughter of Hollywood icons Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, the now-76-year-old star indicated the book will correct misconceptions from films and miniseries about her life.
"Over dinner one night, I decided it’s my own … story … I’m gonna share it with you because of all the love you’ve given me," Minnelli wrote in a statement announcing the book. "Writing my memoir would be my coda, my truth. There’s always a rainbow — if you know where to look for it."
The 2022 Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre, saw CODA win Best Picture. While Minnelli's presentation with Lady Gaga was initially perceived as a heartwarming moment, her new account reveals a layer of controversy that has sparked discussions about treatment of aging performers in the entertainment industry.
