Liza Minnelli Accuses Lady Gaga of Sabotage at 2022 Oscars in Upcoming Memoir

In her forthcoming memoir, *Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!*, Liza Minnelli has accused Lady Gaga of sabotaging her during the 2022 Academy Awards. Minnelli, who was in a wheelchair at the time due to health issues, claims she was "inexplicably ordered—not even asked—to sit in a wheelchair" instead of the director's chair she had expected. This decision, she argues, hindered her ability to read the teleprompter and contributed to her stumbling over her words while presenting the Best Picture award alongside Gaga.

Liza Minnelli Says Being Put in a Wheelchair at the 2022 Oscars Left Her ‘Heartbroken’ — Who Felt the Impact FirstNewsweekLiza Minnelli Says Oscars Forced Her Into Wheelchair and Left Her ‘Heartbroken’

Minnelli recounts that she was told the wheelchair was necessary for safety reasons, as organizers believed she might slip out of the director's chair due to her age. She vehemently rejects this rationale, labeling it as "bullshit" and expressing her heartbreak over the situation. In her memoir, she writes, "I was told it was because of my age, and for safety reasons... I fought back but my co-presenter—Lady Gaga... insisted she would not go on stage with me unless I was in a wheelchair."

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During the presentation, Gaga reportedly comforted Minnelli, saying, "I got you," which was widely praised as a kind gesture. However, Minnelli perceives this moment differently, suggesting it was a means for Gaga to take the spotlight while she felt diminished on stage.

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Michael Feinstein, a close friend of Minnelli, has publicly characterized the incident as sabotage, reinforcing Minnelli's claims. In contrast, a source close to the Oscars stated that the decision to use a wheelchair was made for Minnelli's safety, indicating a divergence in perspectives regarding the incident's motivations.

Liza Minnelli Says Oscars Forced Her Into Wheelchair and Left Her ‘Heartbroken’

As of now, representatives for both Lady Gaga and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have not publicly responded to Minnelli's allegations. The lack of commentary leaves room for speculation about the differing accounts of the events that transpired during the Oscars.

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The incident raises significant questions about how award ceremonies accommodate older performers and those with mobility challenges. Minnelli's experience highlights the potential impact of last-minute decisions on performers' dignity and visibility during live broadcasts. The memoir not only serves as a personal reflection for Minnelli but also as a commentary on the treatment of aging artists in the entertainment industry.

Liza Minnelli Says Being Put in a Wheelchair at the 2022 Oscars Left Her ‘Heartbroken’ — Who Felt the Impact First

*Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!* is scheduled for release on March 10, 2026. The memoir is expected to provide further insights into Minnelli's life and career, as well as her reflections on the Oscars incident. As the publication date approaches, public interest in the differing narratives surrounding the event is likely to intensify.

Liza Minnelli Says Being Put in a Wheelchair at the 2022 Oscars Left Her ‘Heartbroken’ — Who Felt the Impact First

• “I was inexplicably ordered—not even asked—to sit in a wheelchair or not appear at all,” — Liza Minnelli

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• “I got you.” — Lady Gaga

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• “I was heartbroken.” — Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli Says Oscars Forced Her Into Wheelchair and Left Her ‘Heartbroken’

• “I believe I was sabotaged,” — Liza Minnelli

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• “I wondered if something else was going on. Was this just a ploy to get me off the stage so my co-presenter could have the spotlight all to herself?” — Liza Minnelli

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