Liza Minnelli to Publish Memoir, Saying Documentaries “Didn’t Get It Right”

Liza Minnelli has announced her upcoming memoir, set for release in spring 2026, where she will finally share her life story on her own terms. The 78-year-old legendary actor and singer has decided to take matters into her own hands after feeling frustrated that previous documentaries about her life “didn’t get it right.”

Minnelli, who has signed a deal with Grand Central Publishing, collaborated on the memoir with Pulitzer Prize winner Heidi Evans and Los Angeles Times alum Josh Getlin. The book will delve deeply into her childhood, career, love life, rise to fame, and struggles with substance abuse.

“Since I was old enough to put pencil to paper, people asked me to write books about my career, my life, my loves, my family,” Minnelli shared with People magazine. “’Absolutely not. Tell it when I’m gone’ was my philosophy. So, why did I change my mind?”

Minnelli revealed that a series of unfortunate events, including a “sabotaged appearance at the Oscars” and a film filled with twisted half-truths, made her reconsider her stance. “Finally, I was mad as hell. Over dinner one night, I decided, it’s my own d*** story, I’m going to share it with you because of all the love you’ve given me,” she said.

Her long-time friend and collaborator, singer Michael Feinstein, gave context to her feelings of being sabotaged. Following Minnelli’s appearance at the Oscars, Feinstein explained on The Jess Cagle Show that plans were changed at the last minute to bring her on stage in a wheelchair, against her wishes. “She was sabotaged,” said Feinstein. “She said, ‘I don’t want people to see me limping out there… I don’t want people to worry about me.’” He elaborated that these plans were changed “literally five minutes before she went on,” due to the chaos that ensued earlier when Will Smith jumped on stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock.

“The stage manager said, ‘Well, she has to be in a wheelchair’ and Liza pleaded. She said, ‘No, I will not be seen in a wheelchair in front of everybody. I will not do this. I refused to do this,’” Feinstein recalled. “And they said, ‘Well, it’s either that or nothing.’”

Minnelli, one of the few performers in history to achieve an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), is the daughter of famous actor Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Flora the Red Menace in 1965, an Oscar for Best Actress in 1972 for her role in Cabaret, an Emmy for Liza with a Z in 1973, and the Grammy Legend Award in 1990.

She is also widely recognized for her performance in Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York, and for her recurring role in the award-winning sitcom Arrested Development. “From the moment she was born, people have been telling Liza’s story. She is now, after a life of many dizzying triumphs and some terrifying lows, finally ready to tell it herself. Grand Central is absolutely thrilled to help bring this book into the world,” said Colin Dickerman, senior vice president and editor-in-chief at Grand Central.

Minnelli’s decision to write her memoir signifies not only a reclaiming of her personal narrative but also serves as a testament to her resilience and enduring impact on the entertainment industry. Her memoir promises to offer an authentic, intimate glimpse into the life of a true icon who has experienced both unparalleled success and monumental challenges.

Source: People Magazine, The Jess Cagle Show