Barbra Streisand's memoir looks back on a groundbreaking career
Nov 13, 2023
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Barbra Streisand discusses her directorial debut, overcoming obstacles due to concerns about its Jewish content. She also talks about her desire for control over her work and reflects on her legacy. Streisand opens up about anxiety, vulnerability, and finding contentment. A conversation with NPR's Brittany Luse and two podcast advertisements are also featured.
Barbra Streisand's memoir highlights the resistance she faced in Hollywood due to the perceived 'Jewishness' of her film Yentl.
Streisand's journey from anxiety to contentment showcases the universal fear of obscurity and the importance of embracing personal growth.
Deep dives
Barbara Streisand's memoir highlights her journey in the entertainment industry
Barbara Streisand's memoir, titled My Name Is Barbara, delves into her extensive experiences in the entertainment industry, covering the people, obstacles, slights, and triumphs she encountered. Streisand discusses her groundbreaking film Yentl, which faced resistance and criticism due to its portrayal of Jewish culture. She reflects on her commitment to control her work, navigating the business aspect of the industry, and ensuring creative autonomy in her projects. Streisand emphasizes that gender inequality and the pursuit of personal growth were driving forces behind her choices. Her memoir becomes a vehicle for her to assert control over her legacy and provide an in-depth look into her extraordinary life.
Barbara Streisand's evolving perspective on vulnerability and contentment
In an interview discussing her memoir, Barbara Streisand reflects on her journey from feeling unrecognized anxiety to contentment. Streisand shares her understanding of Judy Garland's nervousness during a performance, realizing that fear of obscurity and audience rejection is a common experience. Over time, Streisand became more vulnerable and faced anxieties about forgetting lyrics and meeting audience expectations. However, as she reached the age of 81, she came to a point where she believed that her accomplishments were enough. Streisand expresses a sense of contentment and the desire to live her life fully, embracing the lessons learned throughout her career.
Barbra Streisand spent 15 years working to get her directorial debut, the movie Yentl, made. She writes in her new memoir, My Name is Barbra, that people in Hollywood often told her the story was "too Jewish" to appeal to a mainstream audience. In today's episode, Streisand speaks with NPR's Brittany Luse, host of the podcast It's Been a Minute, about that experience. She also talks about why she feels like her book gives her control over her legacy – and how she approached it as kind of a "director's cut" of her life.