07 November 2023 , 07:11
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Barbra Streisand 's new book — My Name Is Barbra — has shone a light on the lesser known facts about the singer's life.
The compelling memoir walks fans through the story of her life, from promising pupil, to budding actress, to global star. In the pages, Barbra reveals a number of intimate moments and clears up confusion about decades-long misconceptions.
A look into her past reveals some cheeky, unexpected relationships and some of the terrible insecurities she's battled. We have listed some of the top bombshells below.
READ MORE:Barbra Streisand's relationship history from huge age gap to famous actors and the King
Becoming Barbra
Barbra explained how she changed her name's spelling (Getty Images)Barbra shared that she was encouraged to change her name 'Barbara' when she was starting out in the entertainment industry. She explained that initially she wanted to choose a man's name like "Sydney Streisand" as she liked the "alliteration".
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However, in the end she explained that she would just keep it simple and take out the 'a' in 'Barbra'. She explained: "Then it occurred to me that I could just take out the middle a in Barbara. Now I'd be Barbra...that was different and unique. I liked the way it looked too...and deep down I would still be the same Barbara Joan Streisand, if you see what I mean."
She added that it was also important to her that she was still the same person to her loved ones.
Judy Garland feud
Barbra and Judy didn't actual fight (Getty Images)
The new book is available nowIt's been long-rumoured that Barbra Streisand and the late Judy Garland didn't get on and were locked in a feud. But Barbra shut down this speculation in her new book.
After the pair duetted together, Judy had a segment where she introduced guests. Following this, Barbra made a "small request" of the singing legend, asking: "Can I replace you?"
Many people believed these four words indicated a feud between the pair, but Barbra said this was "ridiculous" and the pair actually enjoyed a firm friendship.
Marlon Brando's proposition
Barbra refused to have sex with Marlon Brando (Getty Images)
He later chose a more romantic option (Getty Images North America)Speaking about the time she met Hollywood actor Marlon Brando in the book, Barbra shared that he had bluntly told her "I'd like to f**k you."
Admitting she was "taken aback", Barbra said she replied, saying: "That sounds awful." She said that upon seeing Barbra wasn't interested in having sex with him, he offered a museum date instead.
Barbra said that this time, she responded and said: "Now that's very romantic. I'd like that," but the pair wouldn't meet up again until years later.
Losing her virginity after trying marijuana for the first time
She admitted that when she lost her virginity, the man snubbed her (Bettmann Archive)Barbra said she lost her virginity to a man she had spent a few evenings with. Detailing the night it happened, she explained he offered her what she believed was a cigarette but it turned out to be marijuana.
She said she went "weak at the knees" after that, thinking that it was down to him, but it was actually down to the cannabis. She said the unnamed gentleman was unkind to her after that, as he acting like "nothing had ever happened".
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Spending $100,000 on cloning her dog
Barbra devised a plan so she didn't need to live without her dog (WireImage)
PETA didn't agree with her decision (Getty Images)After her pup Samantha passed away in 2017, Barbra admitted she went ahead and cloned her. The scientific procedure resulted in the singer getting two new pooches, Miss Violet and Miss Scarlett. Keeping it within the family, Barbra also has a third dog how is related to Samantha — Miss Fanny.
The futuristic decision did not sit right with animal rights activists and PETA objected. They stated: "We all want our beloved dogs to live forever, but cloning doesn't achieve that-instead, it creates a new and different dog who has only the physical characteristics of the original."
Cruel nose job pressure
Barbra received insults in Hollywood due to her nose (Getty Images)Barbra has been candid about how much the insults about her nose have affected her. Despite a long and successful career, the artist reflected on how she is "still hurt" by the cruelty. Nonetheless, Barbra never actually got a nose job. In her book, she explains this decision, citing that she was worried about the pain and expense.
Additionally, if she were to do it, Barbra wanted it done right. She feared that a surgeon wouldn't actually be able to get it right. Plus, there was a chance that operation could affect her singing voice; that was something she certainly didn't want.
'Flirty' relationship with King Charles III
Barbra claimed that King Charles III had a crush on her (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Barbra dished that King Charles III totally had a crush on her and she noticed. She went on to say that she actually found him "utterly charming" and described a time that he sent flowers to her. In fact, he added a personal touch by making sure that the flowers were from his own garden.
She was surprised to find out that the King was a fan and they went on to have a "flirty" relationship. Ultimately, nothing came of the crush, but there was potential for love.
My Name is Barbra (published by Penguin) is now available to purchase in bookshops and on Amazon.