'Stinging critiques': Liza Minnelli shares 'deep inadequacy' she felt growing up with megastar mother

Liza Minnelli has officially pulled back the curtain on her relationship with late mother Judy Garland.Now a Hollywood heavyweight in her own right, Minelli has detailed the complex feelings that coloured her and the Wizard of Oz star's dynamic throughout her life.Delving into the topic in her new memoir Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, Minnelli has unpacked the "deep inadequacy" she felt growing up with the Hollywood icon.Want the official inside scoop on MAFS, unfiltered and unseen? Watch After The Dinner Party hereHer father, film director Vincente Minnelli, used to joke his daughter's career in showbusiness was preordained, the Cabaret star revealed.But the self-professed "original nepo-baby" said the privilege she was afforded as she swiftly rose to fame was shrouded by "stinging" criticism from her notoriously troubled mother.As Minnelli grew up, she recalled Garland making her “terrifyingly aware” of what she “didn’t do well” in her work.READ MORE: Celeste Barber breaks her silence on split from husband Api RobinREAD MORE: Meghan to attend Sydney 'girls weekend' retreatREAD MORE: Bondi shooting heroes share engagement news three months on“There were moments of great love from her, as well as stinging critiques I came to dread,” she recalled.“A feeling of deep inadequacy. Years later, I wonder if I’ve fully risen above it.”In her memoir, Minnelli – who turns 80 this month – recounts how she broke free from her dysfunctional family at 16 and moved to New York to make it as a singer and actor.But that was not before enduring a troubled childhood, stained by the realities of navigating life with a drug-addicted mother.Garland had been in active addiction to various substances throughout her career, culminating in her untimely death by overdose at the age of just 47.For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.Minnelli learned early on her mother had felt challenged – even threatened by – her burgeoning stage and screen career, initially not supporting her ambitions to pursue them at all."Mama was initially sceptical," she admitted."Despite imagining my name on a marquee, she did try at first to steer me away from the bright lights. Then, reluctantly, she threw her hands up, putting me on concert stages and on television at a young age.She went on to say that despite this reluctant support, she would "feel this conflict in Mama [her] whole life."She recalled her professional stage debut in the Off-Broadway musical Best Foot Forward in 1963 – and her mother's failure to attend the career milestone, claiming she'd "mixed up the dates."After landing a role in the revival of Carnival at the age of just 17, Minnelli faced further difficulties with her "competitive" mother.Ten days before opening night, Garland issued a public statement claiming her daughter would not be in the show because she "did not have her parents' permission."After Minnelli issued her own counter-statement in contradiction, Garland threatened to sue the producers and send her daughter to boarding school.But the actress later "backed down," allowing Minnelli to perform as planned.Despite their complicated relationship, Minnelli was clear on the fact her love for her late mother remains intact to this day."I wish I could hold Mama in my arms now, tell her how much I love her and give her all the attention and help she deserved yet never received," she wrote.If you or someone you know is in need of support for substance abuse, contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.