Fears for frail Liza Minnelli, 80, after confused Hollywood icon cackled, gave bizarre answers and mumbled at special birthday event celebrating her memoir
Fears for frail Liza Minnelli, 80, after confused Hollywood icon cackled, gave bizarre answers and mumbled at special birthday event celebrating her memoir
The lavish tribute to Liza Minnelli’s legendary career at the Million Dollar Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday night turned into a moment of concern for her well-being. Attendees noticed Minnelli’s absence from the stage during the hour-long Q&A, sparking whispers about her health among the sold-out crowd.
A memoir and a milestone
The occasion marked the release of her memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, and coincided with her 80th birthday. Michael Feinstein, her longtime collaborator, hosted the event, guiding her through pre-selected questions from the audience. Yet, the evening was marred by moments of disorientation as Minnelli struggled to maintain focus.
Feinstein and her niece, Vanessa Jade O’Neill, attempted to steer the conversation, but Minnelli occasionally veered into strange tangents. When asked about her birthday wishes, she responded with a loud cackle, then mumbled, “To you?!” before adding, “Everyone in this audience will say, ‘Uh huh,’” leaving the crowd puzzled.
Recounting a memorable Oscar moment
The event opened with a nostalgic montage of Minnelli’s early life, showcasing her childhood with Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. It highlighted her rise to fame, including her Oscar win for Cabaret in 1972, her work with Bob Fosse, and her time at Studio 54. A tribute to her advocacy for HIV/AIDS research and her impact on performance arts followed.
“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.”
During the show, Minnelli made a dramatic entrance as the Cabaret song Wilkommen played. She sat confidently in a director’s chair, a nod to her recent memoir where she recounted feeling “sabotaged” during her 2022 Oscar appearance with Lady Gaga. In that moment, she had been forced to appear in a wheelchair, a situation she described as humiliating.
Minnelli reflected on the incident, stating, “I’m a big fan,” while recalling how her mother, Judy Garland, taught her to remain composed under pressure. The historic theater, where Garland once performed with her sisters as The Gumm Sisters, added a layer of personal significance to the evening.
Despite the hiccups, the event celebrated Minnelli’s resilience. She has spoken publicly about overcoming alcoholism and prescription drug addiction, yet the evening’s moments of confusion left some wondering about her current state of health.
