Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome to the Academy Awards! Here life is beautiful, the actors are beautiful, even the statues are beautiful! The night where dreams come true, lights shine on some of the best cinematic achievements, and of course, controversy and drama ensue. But this article is not about much of that, it’s about a wholesome moment seen on the grand stage. Where one friendship was lost, another was born.
Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli joined together to present an award before hundreds of observers. Whilst Liza may have felt a bit out of her comfort zone, Lady Gaga came in for her in the most wholesome way, celebrating Liza’s achievements and her legacy. Let’s get into the details!
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Liza Minnelli, a showbusiness legend, was invited to this year's Oscars to present an award with none other than Lady Gaga
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For those of you who maybe have not heard of Liza, here is a quick rundown of her life. Her role as Sally Bowles in Cabaret is what she's most famous for, but that’s merely the tip of the iceberg.
Born in Hollywood in 1946 to two stars, Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, Liza grew up in the studio, following in her parents’ path to stardom. Once she found her voice, Liza quickly became a star, touching audiences with her strong vocals and natural charm.
Born in Hollywood to two famous parents, she knew her legacy would be a great one, rising to stardom in the 1970s
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An Oscar, 2 Grammys, 4 Tonys and an Emmy crown the star, but they're not her only achievements
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She won a Tony at just 19 years old, then an Oscar for Cabaret in 1973. She was also praised for her role in New York, New York. Add in two Grammys, an additional three Tonys, and an Emmy and you’ve got a legend. That is not all, as she is also a Knight of the French Legion of Honor.
Most famed for her role in Cabaret, Liza retreated from the spotlight in the early 2000s
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Liza Minnelli retreated from the spotlight in the early 2000s for a multitude of reasons. She dealt with serious health issues.
Having survived a rare case of viral encephalitis, a life-threatening brain infection, she was told by her doctors that she might never walk or talk again. We can all but imagine how she must have felt, having built her life on movement and dance, only for it all to be falling out of her grasp.
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Following serious health issues, it was unclear whether she'd ever make a comeback, yet she defied all odds
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She recalled the experience in an interview with NBC’s Dateline: “I couldn’t walk and I couldn’t talk, and they told me I wouldn’t… ever again. After I was told that, everybody left the room and I turned my face to the wall and started to go 'A - B - C’, because I had Carnegie Hall to rehearse. I want to live. I have always wanted to live.”
Her resilience and determination defied the predictions, allowing her to make a recovery and continue working, releasing an album in 2002, called Liza’s Back. Her last album came out in 2010, after which she’d taken a break from the spotlight.
Liza was to join Lady Gaga and announce this year's Best Picture
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Now 76, Liza rarely makes public appearances, but she joined Lady Gaga onstage at the Academy Awards on Sunday to announce this year’s Best Picture winner.
I’m sure Gaga does not need much introduction, however, she has regularly expressed her admiration for Liza, citing her as one of her main influences when starting her own path to stardom. It was a match made in Heaven for them to meet on this stage and here’s what went down.
The pair had met each other previously, Liza sharing a moment with Gaga after her concert in 2017 on her Instagram page
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The Academy Awards were full of interesting moments, but this one would take the win for the most wholesome
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Lady Gaga and Liza were warmly welcomed on stage by the audience, applause echoing throughout
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The guests of the event were ecstatic to see Liza and Gaga come up on stage, applause erupting throughout, showering them with love. Gaga stepped back so that the focus could be on Liza, joining in on the claps for the legend, to which Liza exclaimed “Oh, that’s so exciting!”
Gaga then came back to her and said, “You see that? The public, they love you.” Liza laughed, slightly unsure as to what she needed to do next, as she looked at the few notes in her hands, saying, “Oh yes, but now what am I… I don't understand.” It’s quite adorable, reminding me of a grandma so excited to see her grandbabies that she forgets what’s going on. Thankfully, Lady Gaga was there to guide her through the moment.
Gaga stood back and turned to clap for the Hollywood legend, showing her own appreciation for the star
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Even though Liza was excited to be there, she was quite nervous too, at one moment shuffling around her notes
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But Lady Gaga was the best supporter, taking charge by honoring Liza and her achievements
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Putting her hand on Liza’s shoulder, Gaga told her “I got it” and turned to the public, bidding them a good evening and expressing how much she loves working with legends.
Liza adorably exclaimed “oh my baby!” and Gaga continued, taking Liza’s hand in hers: “I'm honored to present the final award of the evening with a true showbusiness legend. She’s celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cabaret.”
She took Liza's hand in hers, as if to say 'we're in this together'
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Liza kept looking up at Gaga before addressing the public on her own; sure, she may have stumbled a bit, but she did the best she could
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The audience erupted in applause once more before the ladies continued with the nominees, Liza looking at Gaga and asking “now?” Liza’s beautiful voice filled the space, everyone keenly listening to the star as she nervously spoke, stumbling over a few words but doing the best she could.
They kept looking at each other, almost as if they were in a bubble of their own, finding strength and inspiration in one another.
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Before the nominees were shown, the microphone picked up Gaga saying "I got you" and Liza responding "I know, thank you"
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Even if nervous, Liza was still a riot, exclaiming to Gaga’s “we’re gonna see who the nominees are right now” with “oh good!” in a grandmotherly tone, making everyone in the crowd laugh.
Before the nominees for the award were announced, the microphone picked up a few whispered words between the pair, Lady Gaga reassuring Liza with the words “I got you,” with the legend responding “I know, thank you.” Now that’s the sort of wholesomeness that gets you up in the morning.
Once the nominees were shown, Gaga handed Liza a red envelope with the winner, not before singing a bit of “Willkommen” from Cabaret
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When it was time for the pair to announce the winners, Gaga looked at Liza in admiration, singing the opening lines of “Willkommen” from Cabaret, after which Liza said in glee: “Hi everybody! I'm so happy to be here, especially with you,” she said looking at Gaga, “I'm your biggest fan.”
Gaga proceeded to put the red envelope into Liza’s hands, asking whether she was excited to announce the winner of Best Picture, to which the star replied “oh yeah, oh yeah.” Like the true legend she is, Liza didn’t wait for anything, no pause for dramatic effect and no hesitation as she read out the winner.
Liza did not hesitate to read out the winner to the awaiting public, showing everyone how it's supposed to be done
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The viewers watching from home had nothing but praise for the exchange, but what were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments
Image credits: Naomi O'Leary
Viewers watching at home and those who had come to see the segment after the show were impressed by the way Gaga supported Liza throughout their time onstage. They were quick to praise her for not being demeaning or awkward, while simultaneously guiding the Hollywood legend and helping move the segment along.
It was truly a joy watching them interact with each other, becoming an example of true comradery, support, and wholesomeness. As they say, ‘Life is a cabaret, old chum’ so go enjoy the music and the moment.
Let us know what you thought of the moment! And I will leave you for now, bidding farewell and a happy day for you all to be had!