Barbra Streisand, 83, may never sing live again despite new album: ‘She can’t possibly go on stage'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Barbra Streisand may have a new album to celebrate, but fans hoping to see her perform again are in for a letdown.
The 83-year-old music icon has no plans to ever sing on stage again and no intention of promoting the album with any live appearances.
Barbra Streisand's stage fright resurfaces despite star-studded album with Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan
Streisand’s latest project, 'The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two,' includes collaborations with Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Sting, and Josh Groban.
But despite the high-profile duets, the idea of returning to a concert stage fills her with dread.
“Just the idea of performing in front of a crowd makes her feel sick and wobbly,” a source told RadarOnline. The source added, “She can’t possibly go on stage now.”
The same insider explained that Streisand’s deep anxiety about performing live hasn’t faded with age, instead, it has intensified.
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Memoir details Barbra Streisand's 1967 concert performance leaving her 'motionless'
Barbra Streisand’s fear dates back to a 1967 Central Park concert, where she forgot the lyrics to 'When the Sun Comes Out' mid-song.
She recounted the traumatic moment in her 970-page memoir, 'My Name is Barbra.'
"There were no teleprompters to rescue me back then," she writes in her memoir. "I went blank, and I was not charming or funny about it."
She described, "My worst nightmare come true, and it was happening in front of 150,000 people. It really threw me ... I felt an absolute lack of control ... and it was terrifying. I didn’t perform in a live concert setting again for 27 years."
The source said, "She did, in fact, get through it, but it left a permanent scar.”
Though she later began using a teleprompter as a precaution, the fear of a similar mishap continued to loom over her. The source said she now refuses to take any chances.
“She enjoyed working with all these wonderful performers, but she's adamantly against booking any tour dates,” the insider explained.
Barbra Streisand left fans, exes disheartened when asked about touring again
Despite outward confidence, Barbra Streisand’s fear of live audiences may stem from a more private trait.
“Despite all her bluster and brash public statements, at heart she's an extremely shy person, and her stage fright is a result of that,” said the source.
The source added that Streisand’s decision may disappoint fans and record executives alike, but there’s no changing her mind.
“No amount of money will coerce Barbra into doing what she doesn't want to do,” they said.
When Variety recently asked her if she would ever tour again, Streisand responded, “Oh, God. I doubt it. There’s a little part of me that may consider that. But the other part of me goes, why?”
