Liza Minnelli reflects on holidays, career and upcoming
memoir
BY Frank DiLella New York City
EGOT-winning performer Liza Minnelli is entering 2026 with
multiple projects on the horizon.
In March, she will celebrate her 80th birthday and release a
new memoir, "Kids, Wait till You Hear This!," co-written with
longtime collaborator Michael Feinstein.
She is also working on a mini-series chronicling her life
and career with her producing partner, Emmy winner Sam Haskell, and Magnolia
Hill Productions/Warner Brothers. Haskell is known for producing several of
Dolly Parton’s acclaimed holiday specials, many of which continue to air
seasonally and stream year-round.
"On Stage" host Frank DiLella spoke with Minnelli
to discuss the holidays, her career and what’s ahead in the new year.
DILELLA: Liza — happy holidays! How are you spending the
holiday season this year?
MINNELLI: Oh, sweetheart. I’m savoring it. Wrapped in
warmth. Memories twinkling like footlights — music coming through the air and
surrounded by beautiful and closest friends. Through it all we have candles
glowing, records spinning, laughter echoing. And I always take a quiet moment
to say — "it’s been quite a ride!" That’s where the magic is.
DILELLA: Do you have a holiday tradition — something you’ve
held onto no matter where you are in the world — that instantly puts you in the
holiday spirit?
MINNELLI: Mama (Judy Garland) started a family tradition for
all of us watching "The Wizard of Oz." And it’s so important that you
know our new family tradition. My best friend in the world — Michael Feinstein
and I have become producers — we partnered with my darling former agent — and
now head of the company for Magnolia Hill at Warner Brothers — Sam Haskell.
Michael is developing the music for all of Sam’s films at Warner Brothers. And
Sam has the most amazing schedule of holiday programming — starting with his
gorgeous remake of "The Waltons."
DILELLA: Is there a holiday song that never fails to move
you — whether it’s one you love listening to, or one that brings back a very
specific memory?
MINNELLI: Without question honey, "Have Yourself a
Merry Little Christmas" by Mama. Frank, that song doesn’t just play — it
embraces you, darling. Michael’s rendition of "The Christmas Song" is
another one I just adore.
DILELLA: Judy Garland’s rendition of "Have Yourself a
Merry Little Christmas" is one of the greatest holiday songs ever
recorded. Take me back — where were you when you first heard your mom sing it?
MINNELLI: I can’t remember a Christmas when Mom didn’t sing
it. It was her song — it was written for her. At home — especially during
Christmas parties — she had to sing it — just to get people to go home. I was a
little girl — one of my earliest Christmas memories — was Mom at the piano with
Roger Edens caressing the ivories while Mama made a sound that made me know I
wanted to be a dancer. That song was just one example of my mother singing and
showing the world every year just how magical she really was.
DILELLA: Your memoir, "Kids, Wait till You Hear
This!", comes out in 2026 — and your life and career have been nothing
short of extraordinary. What was it like to sit down and revisit those
remarkable chapters — both the triumphs and the challenges — with fresh eyes?
MINNELLI: Honey, it was like opening a glittery Tiffany blue
box of memories. Bruises, love letters, standing ovations — you laugh — you cry
and you say "well — would you look at that? I lived!" Revisiting
those moments was the best experience. Whenever I get to spend time with my
beloved Michael Feinstein it’s a dream come true.
He helped me relive
everything from my one-of-a-kind childhood with Mama and Papa to my most
glorious victories — to my toughest downfalls with a gentle loving hand. High
notes and low notes. Baby, that’s what it’s all about. They say "cats have
9 lives" — well I’m closing in on 80 years — and I’ve been knocked down a
lot more than 9 times. One thing I want to tell your audience — no matter how
many times I get knocked down — I get back up even if I’m crawling.
DILELLA: Was there a particular moment or period in your
life that surprised you emotionally when you revisited it on the page?
MINNELLI: Yes — realizing how joy carried me through the
storms. Something that I’ve always said — that you will read in the book is
that sympathy is my mother’s business. I bring people joy. Joy isn’t always
light and fluffy, darling. Joy is a survival skill. When you find out that 2
people are in love — can’t be together because of their "wiring" —
you have to hold onto the joy and friendship that brought you together. I’ve
been married too many times. And I had to examine each one. And with one
terrible exception my husbands were all wonderful guys. I didn’t get the
happily ever after that movies make you hope for — and still I’m happy and I
don’t have any regrets.
DILELLA: If you could step back into one moment from your
past — just for a day — which moment would you choose, and what makes it so
meaningful to you?
MINNELLI: I wouldn’t take any one damn single day. But I’ll
tell you a moment that happens before every show I have ever done and every one
I hope to do. That breath before the curtain goes up — heart racing — lights
blazing. The audience holding its breath with you — that electricity — that’s
life!
DILELLA: Your career has touched generations of performers
and audiences. When you think about your legacy, what do you hope people feel
when they hear the name "Liza Minnelli"?
MINNELLI: I hope they feel permission to feel bold and
tender. The freedom to show up with mascara running and heart wide open.
DILELLA: I understand you’re collaborating with producer Sam
Haskell / Magnolia Hill Productions on a filmed version of your life and career
story. What excites you most about seeing your journey told on screen?
MINNELLI: We talked about Sam earlier in this interview.
He’s an absolute doll and we’ve been dear friends for decades. Together we’re
working on some glorious surprises — from my life story based on my memoir to
other properties that we’re bringing to the screen.
DILELLA: And have you given any thought — just for fun — to
who you’d love to see portray you?
MINNELLI: Someone fearless. Someone with fire in their belly
and vulnerability in their eyes. It’s not about copying me — it’s about feeling
me — and whoever she is — she’s got to be able to dance. You can’t lie when you
dance. You either do it or you don’t. She doesn’t have to be a great singer
because I’m not — and she can’t have a fat ass — and she’s got to know how to
shake it. Now understand — I love a fat ass — but if we’re being true to my
story — when I was dancing and high kicking, I couldn’t have a fat ass because
my scoliosis would’ve been exaggerated. I looked like an inverted camel. I gave
up so many hot fudge sundaes — and now I don’t have to do that anymore.
DILELLA: Looking ahead to 2026… do you have a New Year’s
resolution, or perhaps a New Year’s wish?
MINNELLI: I keep one of my resolutions every single year —
to never be a victim. For people who have SUDs (substance use disorder) like I
have — it’s so important that we always give ourselves grace and remind
ourselves that we are survivors and victors. My wish — more kindness, more
laughter and more moments where we say — "darling, wasn’t that
marvelous?"
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