Oscar winner Liza Minnelli has bounced back from a series of serious health problems, and was looking a new woman as she visited London this week to promote her upcoming European tour. As she spoke to reporters yesterday, a radiant Liza praised her fiancé David Gest for inspiration, and described her mum, the late Judy Garland, as her ‘guardian angel’.
Liza, the daughter of the legendary actress and film director Vincent Minnelli, spoke fondly of her Hollywood heritage. “I am a thoroughbred – literally, a thoroughbred. It’s an inner strength that my parents gave me, especially my mother.” She added: “She’s my guardian angel.”
It must surely seem that someone is watching over the 55-year-old. Not long ago she was plagued by ill health, suffering a bad back, two hip replacements, weight problems and and the dangerous brain infection encephalitis, but she has made a remarkable comeback. Now 90lbs lighter and apparently rejuvenated, she’s about to embark on a new tour. The Cabaret star credits her new zest to her loving fiancé: “David inspired me,” she says.
“A year ago she could not walk and she could not talk,” said David, who accompanied the singer to whom he became engaged in November, 2001. “They said she would never sing and she was in a wheelchair… How many of you could get through that and a year later be standing here looking as fabulous as this woman?” He added: “She’s a remarkable human being.”
Liza launches her European tour with five nights at London’s Royal Albert hall starting April 2, soon after her March wedding. She revealed the stage show, produced by David, will be a mix of classics from Cabaret and contemporary R&B tunes, with a few new songs thrown in for good measure. “It’s a whole new gig,” she says. “You’ll be surprised.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
