Barbra Streisand Opens Up About Her Journey: From Early Doubts To Triumph Over Stage Fright

Let me tell you a story about one of the most iconic voices in entertainment history—Barbra Streisand. Now, Barbra has always been confident in her abilities, but like all of us, she's faced moments where others questioned that confidence. Back in the day, during a Mike Wallace interview early in her career, she was put on the spot in a way that left an impact. “He made me cry,” Barbra revealed at the PaleyFest Icon Tribute in Hollywood on March 16. She was only 19 at the time, and Mike asked her, “Why are you so self-obsessed?” Her response? “Who else should I be obsessed with?” It’s a powerful reminder that even legends have had to navigate criticism early in their journey.

Facing the Dragon: Barbra's Lifelong Battle with Stage Fright

Here’s the thing about Barbra: while she’s always been confident in her talent, she’s also dealt with a fierce adversary—stage fright. And we’re not talking about a little nervousness. We’re talking debilitating fear that nearly stopped her from performing for decades. “I didn’t perform for 27 years unless it was for a political event or a fundraiser,” the legendary singer, who turns 76 on April 24, admitted. She shared a moment that haunted her—a time when she went completely blank on stage. “I forgot the words in the middle of one of my songs,” she confessed. “And I still feel that fear today.” But here’s the kicker: Barbra didn’t let it win. She faced it head-on and found ways to conquer it.

Barbra didn’t just sit back and let her fears dictate her life. Oh no, she got to work. “I did a lot of work on myself,” she explained. One of the tools she used was a motivational tape, which she says “was very calming to me.” She also introduced teleprompters into her performances to help ease her nerves. Even with these tools, though, her nerves can still flare up before a show. That’s why she turns to medication to keep them in check. “I take a little pill called Inderal, 10 milligrams,” she revealed. “It takes away the pounding heart because when your heart is pounding, you can’t sing. It affects your vocals.”

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The Show Must Go On: Lessons from Judy Garland

Barbra knows the importance of perseverance. She learned this firsthand when she sang alongside Judy Garland in 1963. “That was fascinating,” Barbra reflected. “Now, I understand what she felt because it does get harder as you get older.” She acknowledges that critics sometimes expect—or even hope—that an aging artist will falter. But Barbra isn’t about to let them down. She’s committed to staying at the top of her game and delivering for her fans. That said, don’t expect her to shoot a music video anytime soon. “I’m lazy. I really am,” she joked. “And I’d probably have to wear high heels!”