Barbra Streisand caused a stir when she publicly commented on Melissa McCarthy’s weight loss in an Instagram post, asking if she took Ozempic. The Broadway legend faced backlash for her comment and eventually deleted it. This incident is not the first time Streisand has inadvertently caused offense with her remarks, as she has a reputation for speaking her mind and delivering barbs to several celebrities over the years.
In 2003, Barbra appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and clashed with Oprah over seemingly trivial matters, such as matching her microphone to her outfit and dog. The encounter left Oprah feeling uneasy for weeks, according to comedian Kathy Griffin. Streisand’s insistence on having her mic painted white to match her clothing was seen as an unnecessary attention to detail and gave rise to a moment of tension between the two icons.
Streisand also expressed her displeasure with Donald Trump in 2018, claiming that his presidency was making her gain weight due to comfort eating. She criticized Trump for his lies and lack of regard for truth in a democracy. Streisand’s frustration with the political climate led her to indulge in late-night snacks like ice cream and chocolate, causing her difficulty in sleeping and contributing to her weight gain.
A long-standing feud between Barbra Streisand and Larry Kramer over the television adaptation of his play “The Normal Heart” garnered attention in the press. Streisand had the rights to the play since 1986 but struggled to secure funding to bring the project to fruition. Kramer accused Streisand of lacking the passion necessary to see the project through, while Streisand defended herself by pointing out the financial difficulties she faced during the production process.
When Bradley Cooper directed a remake of Streisand’s 1976 film “A Star Is Born” in 2018, she openly expressed her disappointment with the final result. Streisand had initially been intrigued by the idea of a different take on the story with Will Smith and Beyoncé in starring roles. However, she felt that Cooper’s version was too similar to her original film and lacked the originality she values. Streisand’s criticism of Cooper’s remake further exemplifies her willingness to speak her mind, even if it means causing discomfort to those involved in the industry.
