Lady Gaga has won praise for the gentle way she helped Liza Minelli present at the Oscars.
Hollywood legend Minnelli won an Academy Award as well as Grammys and Tonys before retreating from the spotlight in recent years due to a life-threatening brain infection, encephalitis.
However, the 76-year-old made a surprise appearance on stage at the Oscars this Sunday, when she appeared alongside 36-year-old Gaga to present the award for Best Picture.
The singer-turned-actor - whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta - welcomed Minnelli to the stage by stepping back and letting her soak up the crowd's applause. "The public, they love you," she joked to Minnelli sweetly.
When the older actress appeared to become confused over her lines, Gaga reassured her, saying "I got it" before launching into her speech.
"I’m finally honored to present the final award of the evening with the true show business legend. She’s celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cabaret. Oscar-winning actress, Liza Minnelli," she said.
Minnelli won the Best Actress Oscar in 1973 for her leading role in Cabaret. Throughout her and Gaga's time on stage, the two kept up their heartwarming rapport, with the younger actress holding the elder's hand and reassuring her when she appeared to become confused.
At one point, Gaga whispered comfortingly in her ear to say "I got you", to which Minnelli replied, "I know".
When it was time to open the red envelope and reveal who had won the biggest award of the night, Gaga held the results so Minnelli could announce the winner (Sian Heder's CODA.)
Viewers at home were quick to praise Gaga for the class and respect with which she guided Minnelli.
"I hope that at some point we can discuss what a class act Lady Gaga is and how well she kept the Best Picture presentation going while still keeping Liza Minelli grounded and included without ever being patronizing or awkward," one person tweeted.
Another agreed, writing: "The class, kindness and glowing #respect Lady Gaga showed toward Liza Minnelli made up for a lot about this nutty evening."
Meanwhile, many people were quick to point out how unfortunate it was that Gaga and Minnelli's tender interaction was overshadowed when Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage.
"Far more important than the story that is grabbing headlines. True class act @ladygaga," one viewer tweeted, while another chimed in: "In a world of Will Smiths, be a Lady Gaga."