Latest news with #Minnelli
San Francisco Chronicle
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Liza Minnelli slams Kennedy Center for ‘bigoted attack on the arts'
Liza Minnelli has spoken out against the Kennedy Center's cancellation of its LGBTQ+ Pride events, and she's fuming. The award-winning entertainer issued a statement in solidarity with longtime collaborator Michael Feinstein, whose Pride program at the institution was 'abruptly and unceremoniously canceled.' 'Earlier this week, my dearest friend in the world, @MichaelFeinsteinsings, sounded a clarion call about what may only be defined as a bigoted attack on the arts,' Minnelli posted to Instagram on Friday, May 9, referring to Feinstein's own post about the situation. Feinstein, singer and founder of the Union Square cabaret venue Feinstein's at the Nikko, was scheduled to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra and perform and speak a John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts program titled 'A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride' on May 21-22. 'My lifetime friend @elizabethtaylor once said… 'without gay people there is no entertainment industry.' Long before Elizabeth said it, My Mama and Papa taught me, from my earliest memory to embrace everyone,' she went on. Minnelli, the daughter of actor Judy Garland and theater director Vincente Minnelli, then urged her followers to read Feinstein's recent essay 'Fear of Queer?' which addresses the Kennedy Center's recent programming decisions among broader concerns about freedom in America. 'These recent Kennedy Center losses may well be defined in the years ahead, as the 21st century government-sanctioned censorship and silencing of creativity, regardless of value, based strictly on sexual orientation,' the essay, shared to Instagram last week, reads. 'Indeed, the latest attempts to strip PBS and NPR of critical funds, highlight the fact that any government-supported access to the arts is no longer safe.' Feinstein's essay follows the Trump administration's recent rescindment of crucial federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, which has affected a number of organizations across the Bay Area and beyond. 'Michael's message of truth shatters my heart into so many pieces,' Minnelli wrote. 'I'm damn mad about what's going on.' A lifelong ally of the LBGTQ+ community, Minnelli was recently honored during the Season 17 finale of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' with the Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award for her 'dazzling contributions to entertainment and sharing her irrepressible joy.' The 79-year-old was treated to a special performance of her 1972 song 'Ring Them Bells' during the episode, which aired on April 18, and was met with roaring applause from the studio audience.
NBC News
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Liza Minnelli makes rare appearance to receive award on ‘RuPaul's Drag Race'
Liza Minnelli made a rare public appearance during the Season 17 finale of "RuPaul's Drag Race." The legendary actor and singer received the Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award on the April 18 episode of " RuPaul's Drag Race" for her "dazzling contributions to entertainment and sharing her irrepressible joy." Minnelli, 79, was met with a roaring applause from the studio audience when she appeared on stage during the episode, donning a sequined monochromatic black ensemble. She was poised on a podium center stage, seated in an opulent throne with one of her legs dangled over the arm of the chair. Dancers performed in front to her song "Ring Them Bells," with Minnelli snapping her fingers along to the music as she took in the celebration. From the crowd, several of the contestants, as well as judges RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Carson Kressley, shook their bells, paying homage to Minnelli. After the dancers' performance, RuPaul joined Minnelli on stage to talk to the singer about her outfit (Halston and Elsa Peretti, "of course," she said). The icon showed off her wit during the interview, revealing that she had once gotten five costumes for Christmas. When asked by RuPaul if she still had them, she quipped, "Somewhere." RuPaul also prompted Minnelli to reflect on her childhood, including her memories of watching dancers rehearse at MGM. "Well, you know, everybody would rush to see whatever my mother was doing, and my father especially, because he was making people do magic," Minnelli explained, referring to her late mother and father, Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. "Oh, he was the best." Minnelli's half-brother, Joey Luft, was also in the studio audience to support his sister at the show. RuPaul later took a moment to share his love — and the nation's — for Minnelli, earning a sincere response from the singer. "Thank you. I don't what else to say except if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be me," Minnelli said. "You made me." RuPaul shared a clever response, adding, "Well, you made us, actually." Minnelli's appearance on "RuPaul's Drag Race" was rare, with the performer not often seen in public in recent years. She previously presented the award for best picture at the Academy Awards in March 2022 alongside Lady Gaga, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. During an October 2024 conversation with Michael Feinstein for Interview Magazine, she gave fans an inside look at her life today, explaining that she was "writing, creating, and working" with Christopher Young, whom she described as a "pure genius." "I'm also recording again and producing with you, Michael, and Sam Haskell," she said. "Our baby business just keeps growing, and at this age that's a helluva good time." Minnelli also shared some health advice, adding "You didn't ask, but I have one piece of advice: Take care of your body 'cause you might live longer than you expect to."
The Independent
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Liza Minnelli makes rare appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race for her first performance in years
Liza Minnelli took the stage in the latest episode of RuPaul's Drag Race to sing the 1972 hit 'Ring Them Bells,' marking her first major performance in three years. 'I love you,' the 79-year-old, award-winning actor screamed at the crowd, to which host RuPaul responded: 'I speak for a grateful nation when I say, 'Liza, we love you.'' Minnelli said: 'Thank you. I don't know what else to say, except, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be me. You made me!' Continuing to egg on the crowd, RuPaul, 64, yelled: 'Well, you made us, actually! One more time, let's ring them bells!' Earlier in the season 17 finale, Minnelli was recognized as this year's Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award winner, honoring her lasting impact on the drag community. The Cabaret actor has famously been an ally within the LGBTQ+ community for years, spreading awareness and advocating for HIV/AIDS research during the 1990s epidemic. Minelli also penned a heartfelt letter to the community in 2017 as part of Billboard 's Pride Month celebration. 'Where would I be without the LGBTQ community of dazzling souls who have always supported and understood me on a level that is unique and extraordinary?' she started. 'From my earliest memories I understood that some people were different, especially when I met so many of the creative people who were working on films made by my mother and father. The veteran star is the daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. 'In the 'golden' age of Hollywood, many could not be themselves in the workplace and live their true nature, yet it was their creativity that fashioned the dreams of Hollywood and the world,' she continued. 'And they were my friends. I learned that 'different' meant many things: freedom, oppression, celebration, sadness, responsibility, hiding, protesting, sharing, but most of all being true to one's self no matter the price.' Minnelli's performance on RuPaul's Drag Race comes three years after her last one at the 2022 Oscars to announce the Best Picture winner. Minnelli appeared in a wheelchair alongside Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Though she took a break from being on stage for some time after, Minnelli's love for performing has never wavered. The Hollywood star opened up about her passion in an October 2024 interview with Interview Magazine for its 55th anniversary edition. 'I love performing. I still take dance lessons, and when I sing to people in the theater, I'm not giving a performance—I'm sharing my love with each individual person. I'm asking, 'This is how I feel. How 'bout you?' My work is real,' she told Michael Feinstein.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liza Minnelli, 79, Makes Rare Appearance for 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17 Finale as New Winner Is Crowned
The queen of Broadway was just honored by drag queens! Liza Minnelli made a guest appearance on the season 17 finale of RuPaul's Drag Race that aired Friday, April 18. The EGOT-winner, 79, was honored with another award: The Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award. Minnelli sat in a throne on the main stage clad in classic black Halston and jewels, and took a trip down memory lane with host RuPaul. RuPaul's #DragRace is proud to present the Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award to the one and only Liza Minnelli ❤️ 'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story' is now available to buy or rent on all major digital platforms. — RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) April 19, 2025 "Look at you!" Minnelli complimented the Emmy-winning host, 64. "I know. It only took six hours," RuPaul joked. "Seven for me," Minnelli replied. "I'm older than you." Minnelli recalled how fans would come to MGM studio to see her mom, actress Judy Garland and her dad, director Vincente Minnelli. Minnelli's younger half-brother Joey Luft, was also in the audience. Garland famously covered the song "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe." Fans can learn more about Minnelli via her 2024 documentary Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story. Minnelli's appearance came ahead of the season 17 champion being crowned. Related: RuPaul's Drag Race Contestant Reveals Charles Barkley Is Her Godfather (Exclusive)The four finalists going into the finale were Lexi Love, Onya Nurve, Jewels Sparkles and Sam Star. In the end, Nurve was crowned America's Next Drag Superstar, succeeding season 16 champion Nymphia Wind. Sparkles was runner-up, while Crystal Envy won the title of Miss Congeniality. Suzie Toot won the title of Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses after winning the lip sync smackdown the week prior. RuPaul's Drag Race airs Fridays on MTV. Read the original article on People
Los Angeles Times
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
A Liza Minnelli doc and an '80s L.A. slasher for your weekend rotting
Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone just trying to find all that jazz. In this week's edition, we recommend two films that bring the comforts of nostalgia: 'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story,' a film that spotlights Liza Minnelli's life in the 1970s, and 'Out of the Dark,' a 1988 L.A. slasher that our film critic Amy Nicholson recently rediscovered. Also in Screen Gab No. 176, we help refresh your memory on where 'The Last of Us' left off and 'Yellowjackets' star Sarah Desjardins stops by to unpack her character's mommy issues. Must-read stories you might have missed After a 15-hour shift on 'The Pitt,' Noah Wyle reviews Dr. Robby's day: The star and executive producer of Max's hit medical drama spoke with The Times about the whirlwind first season. Shape-shifting Will Poulter is getting too good to sideline: The London-born actor is distinctive in a flurry of recent work, including the movies 'Warfare' and 'Death of a Unicorn,' plus a new episode of 'Black Mirror.' 'The Conners' are saying goodbye: The cast and producers of the 'Roseanne' spin-off speak about the show's topical storylines. After decades of pushing, stunts will get their own Oscar: The Oscars will finally honor stunt performers with a new award for achievement in stunt design, debuting at the 100th Academy Awards in 2028. Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times 'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story' ( Bruce David Klein's documentary on Liza Minnelli, presented under the umbrella of PBS' 'American Masters' series, will be catnip to (us) fans, but those not already in that club may be persuaded to join. 'Liza,' which dutifully surveys the star's professional and personal life — multiple marriages and miscarriages, stints in rehab — presents Minnelli as more than the sum of her influences, yet very much shaped by her associations with Kay Thompson, Charles Aznavour, Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb and Halston, not to mention the genetic inheritance from parents Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. Both enormously successful and somehow — at least in my mind — underrated, Minnelli's stock in trade has been a particular, powerful combination of vulnerability and determination, of seeming like the strange yet compelling kid in the back of the class. The testimony of various friends and lovers and mentors (they all seem to blur together) including Ben Vereen, Michael Feinstein, makeup artist Christina Smith, Ebb and his songwriting partner, John Kander — who wrote the score for 'Cabaret,' Minnelli's breakthrough film, and 'Liza with a Z,' her Emmy-winning television concert — paint a warm, unaffected person you might like to know and who would make you feel she was glad to know you. — Robert Lloyd 'Out of the Dark' (Shudder, Tubi) This 1988 sleazy slasher flick is about a clown-masked serial killer who murders the actresses of a phone-sex hotline in downtown Los Angeles. There's a lot of nudity, saxophones and electric guitars, with corpses dumped from MacArthur Park to Studio City's El Royale Hotel. I can't costume it as a classy noir even with a shot of a spiral staircase swirling into the 3rd Street Tunnel. But director Michael Schroeder delivers all the schlock you want while juicing this pulp into something weirder, like casting 'Harold and Maude's' Bud Cort as a lovelorn accountant and butching up the cult legend Divine into a mustachioed male LAPD detective. If you dig top-tier retro L.A. trash, make this a double feature with 1989's 'Death Spa' (Tubi). — Amy Nicholson Everything you need to know about the film or TV series everyone's talking about After a two-year wait, everyone's favorite fungal zombie apocalypse show is finally back: The second season of 'The Last of Us' premieres Sunday. Created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, HBO's acclaimed survival drama is set in a world that has been ravaged by the outbreak of a mysterious mutant cordyceps fungus that turns human hosts into horrific, mindless monsters. An adaptation of the hit video game of the same name, the nine-episode first season followed gruff smuggler-turned-surrogate father figure Joel (Pedro Pascal) and his teen charge Ellie (Bella Ramsey) on a cross-country journey to help find a way to save the world. Ellie's immunity to the fungus potentially holds the key to a cure. Check out the handy guide staff writer Tracy Brown, our trusty 'The Last of Us' expert, assembled to help get you up to speed. READ MORE >> 'The Last of Us' Season 2 is arriving soon. Here's a Season 1 recap A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they're working on — and what they're watching Like mother, like daughter? It's an all too valid observation with this week's Season 3 finale of 'Yellowjackets' including a stunning revelation about Callie, the moody teenage daughter of Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) played by Sarah Desjardins. No spoilers here. Let's just say Callie's curiosity about her mother's time in the wildnerness has caught up with her. In this week's Guest Spot, Desjardins discussed her character's state of mind, what she's watching and more. — Matt Brennan and Yvonne Villarreal One of the key developments this season is the bond Callie forms with Lottie before her death. At one point, Lottie asks her how she would describe herself without embarrassment, shame or fear, and she deflects. What was the answer going through her head that she wasn't ready to speak yet? I personally think that Callie is feeling lost, confused and scared. Part of that fear is coming from this inner knowing she has that she is a very powerful person. She doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know what that means. I think she's scared of what she's capable of. I think Callie is also lonely. She wants love. She wants to be seen and heard. She knows she is very worthy of both those things, but like anyone would in her environment, she doubts herself. I love her very much. 'Yellowjackets' has become renowned for casting high-profile actors as the adult versions of the Yellowjackets, as well as recurring and guest stars. Who would you be most excited to see join for a Season 4 and why? Can Sarah Snook join us? PLEASE. Need I explain why? She is a powerhouse and endlessly captivating. What have you watched recently that you're recommending to everyone you know? 'The Studio' [AppleTV+]. I am such a sucker for projects about our industry but, also, it is just so incredible. I love the way it's shot, the performances; it's such a fun, hilarious ride every episode. What's your go-to 'comfort watch,' the film or TV show you return to again and again? TV shows I am always going between [are] 'Gilmore Girls' [Netflix], 'The Office' [Peacock] and 'Friends' [Max]. The two films that come to mind are 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' [VOD] and 'It's Complicated' [Starz, VOD]. Truly can't count how many times I've seen either.
