Rufus Wainwright claims he’s Liza’s ‘recurring nightmare’
By Nick Levine
Rufus Wainwright has described himself as Liza Minnelli’s “recurring nightmare”.
The singer-songwriter paid tribute to the Cabaret star with a song called Me and Liza on his recent ‘Best Of’ album, but has now revealed that Minnelli was not a fan of his 2006-7 live shows in which he recreated her mother’s iconic concert album.
“I’m trying to be as chivalrous as possible here. I’m a big Liza fan and a big Judy fan and I can’t say that Ms Minnelli has been too thrilled by my ovations,” Wainwright told the Radio Times.
“When I performed the Judy Garland show, she really didn’t really get it. I could not tell you what’s wrong, I suppose anything to do with her mother makes it very difficult for her.”
He then added: “My dad grew up with Liza for a couple of years in Beverly Hills, so they were friends as kids. I think I’ve become her recurring nightmare.”
Me and Liza appears on Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright, which was released last month (March).
Meanwhile, Liza Minnelli is to play for one night only in London this July – full ticket details here.