06 November 2023 , 20:58
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Barbra Streisand may be releasing a tell-all memoir titled My Name Is Barbra, but the truth is, that is not actually her exact real name.
The artist's new book, which will hit bookstore shelves tomorrow, is expected to give readers a front-row seat on her six-decade career as a singer, actor, and director. Ahead of the release, several details about the star's life have emerged, such as the crazy fact that she paid $100,000 to clone her dog not just once, but twice.
READ MORE: Barbra Streisand spent $100k on cloning her dog Samantha after she died
So, what name was the multi-talented woman really given at birth? Her current name, 'Barbra' was an idea that the star had as she came of age because she wanted to be "unique," as she herself said.
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More specifically, she changed the spelling of her first name from Barbara to Barbra early in her career for professional reasons. Streisand has mentioned in interviews that she changed the spelling to make it unique and stand out in the entertainment industry, hoping to create a distinctive identity for herself as an actress and singer.
The change happened right at the beginning of her career, back in 1960, when the then-young and aspiring singer named Barbara, struggling to make ends meet, won a talent contest held at The Lion, a well-known gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York. Little did she know that this victory would mark the beginning of an outstanding career, one that would shape the entertainment industry for decades to come.
Barbra Streisand performs live during a concert at the O2 World on June 15, 2013 (Redferns via Getty Images)
Barbra's success at The Lion opened the way for her to larger stages (Popperfoto via Getty Images)Upon winning the contest, the talented artist made a life-changing decision – she changed her name from Barbara to Barbra. With this new identity, she embarked on a journey that would lead her to stardom. The Lion, a cosy venue in the heart of Greenwich Village, became the backdrop for Barbra's transformative moments.
"I didn't realize it was a gay bar," Barbra recalled. "When I won my first talent contest at The Lion, I was clueless about the place's reputation. Cis [Corman] came opening night, and I asked her, 'Why are we the only women here?' That's when I learned about the venue's unique charm."
The Lion's owner, Burke McHugh, reminisced about the buzz surrounding Barbra's performances. "There was definitely a buzz about Barbra. It started that first night at The Lion. A lot of agents came down to see her. Even Noel Coward witnessed her exceptional talent," he said.
Barbra's success at The Lion opened the way for her to larger stages. With newfound confidence and a name that would soon become synonymous with greatness, she moved on to perform at The Bon Soir, a prominent club just around the corner. Later, she said about the name change: "Well, I was 18 and I wanted to be unique, but I didn’t want to change my name because that was too false. Let’s see, if I take out the ‘a,’ it’s still ‘Barbara,’ but it’s unique."