Liza Minnelli Said Her Mom Judy Garland Would Have ‘Laughed’ at Lady Gaga in ‘A Star is Born’

Lady Gaga received an Oscar nomination for her role in the 2018 remake of A Star is Born, but Liza Minnelli said the star of the 1954 film would have laughed at the performance. Her mother, Judy Garland, was the focus of the 1954 version, and it is widely considered one of her best performances. Minnelli once explained how she thought her mother would react to Gaga’s critically acclaimed performance.

Liza Minnelli’s mother, Judy Garland, performed in ‘A Star is Born’

Following a four-year hiatus from acting, Garland made a tremendous comeback with her role in A Star is Born. The performance earned her an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Actress. The process of shooting the film was difficult, however. As she dealt with her physical and mental health, she was known to show up late to set and cause extensive shooting delays. 

Despite this, her performance was a triumph. 

“The entire success of the picture depends upon the fact that Judy really has it,” The Hollywood Reporter wrote in 1954. “Her song styling is as individual and arresting as Ethel Merman’s. And, as the picture progresses, she proves it in one smash number after another.”

She thinks her mother would have laughed at Lady Gaga’s performance in 2018

Years later, Lady Gaga made her debut in a starring film role in a remake of A Star is Born. This was the film’s fourth remake, after the original in 1937. The 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson was a critical flop, but the 2018 remake represented a return to form for the story. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. 

Lady Gaga also received a nomination for Best Actress, and many considered her a frontrunner for the award. Minnelli was later asked what Garland would have thought about Gaga’s acclaimed performance.

“She would have laughed,” Minnelli told ET. “And then she would have gotten into it.”

Though the performance may have made Garland laugh at first, Minnelli said that she could practically hear her mother’s reaction.

“I can hear her saying, ‘OK, let’s go!'” she said. “Great to the end!”

Liza Minnelli and Lady Gaga later presented together at the Oscars

Several years later, Minnelli and Gaga presented together at the 2022 Academy Awards. At the end of the ceremony, the two made their way to the stage to present the award for Best Picture.

“Good evening. You know how I love working with legends,” Gaga said. “And I’m honored to present the final award of the evening with a true show business legend.”

Toward the end of their presentation, Gaga leaned down toward Minnelli, who was in a wheelchair, and said, “I got you.” Minnelli replied, “I know.”