There were a lot of winners (and a lot of drama) during the Academy Awards on Sunday, but a sweet moment between Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli may have been the thing that won viewers’ hearts.
Minnelli made a rare public appearance at the ceremony, joining Gaga on stage to present the nominees for Best Picture. The 76-year-old stage and screen icon, who has suffered from health issues for the last two decades and appeared at the show in a wheelchair, didn’t always seem completely aware of what she was supposed to be doing, but Gaga had her covered.
As soon as the two walked on stage, they were met with a standing ovation. “Do you see that?” Gaga asked. “The public, they love you.”
Minnelli then appeared to need some help figuring out what to do next, at which point Gaga took the lead in announcing the category. But she still made sure to include Minnelli as things proceeded, at one point saying, “you know I love working with legends” and grabbing her hand.
At Gaga’s urging, Minnelli took over, but the House of Gucci actor was still there to help her along.
“I got you,” she whispered at one point, picked up by a hot mic.
“I know,” Minnelli replied.
As Gaga said, Minnelli is truly a legend, and the way she was treated as such both by the crowd surprised to see her and Gaga herself, who was also patient and respectful of her throughout their brief time on stage, meant a lot to people.
