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(NewsNation) — Fans are deeply concerned for the stage and screen legend Liza Minnelli after she couldn’t make it to the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of her documentary “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story.”
While the film, which delves into her short-lived romance, her slide into alcohol and drug abuse and her comeback, won rave reviews, people were scratching their heads wondering why the legend didn’t (or couldn’t) come herself.
A statement was issued at the premiere that read (in part), “Thanks to my loves at Tribeca for tonight’s screening of ‘Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story,’ which I made as a gift for my family, friends, and fans! The film is one of the building blocks in the new skyscraper of my world today by showing people who care, (despite tabloid trash), I’m still loving, still kicking, still creating and to borrow from Sondheim, the great, baby…’I’m Still Here.’”
As for skipping the premiere, Minnelli says it was too maudlin to attend and that she is off to Paris.
In an Instagram post full of old pictures, including a private jet (her presumed mode of travel), Minnelli wrote, “I’m packing treasures designed by my friend Elsa Peretti, for a jaunt to Paris, working on a very special project. And yes, I will be visiting my bijoutierère, Tiffany & Co.
“My beloved sister Lorna Luft, who makes an all too brief appearance (in the documentary), and I decided we couldn’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t sit in the audience to watch a tribute to me, about me. Shades of Sunset Boulevard? Yikes!
“Some trashy rags lie and say I’m too ‘fragile’ to travel. How dumb is that? Honey, sitting in a Gulf Stream is smoother and more luxurious than any damn wheel chair. Which yes, I use sometimes. Babies, I still travel. Still love living life on my terms with a tight circle of people I adore. I’m finally free to have fun…”
As I reported in May, Minnelli, who hasn’t made an official public appearance since the 2022 Academy Awards when she was wheeled on stage by Lady Gaga to present Best Picture nominees, was too ill to attend the April 11 performance of “Cabaret” in honor of Joel Gray’s 92nd birthday. And as of last week, her publicist still claimed Minelli was wavering about showing up to Tribeca and told me the legend was in fine form.
“I was just with her last month to shoot a huge campaign, and she was better than ever. She’s even recording again,” her publicist, Victoria Verela, said.
