Barbra Streisand shares her lack of enjoyment throughout her life

Barbra Streisand, in her new autobiography titled "My Name Is Barbra," reflects on her early years and journey to stardom. At 17 years old, Streisand set a goal for herself to become famous so she would have someone else to make her bed. However, she soon realized that the reality of fame was not as exciting as she had imagined, as she is a very private person who does not enjoy stardom. From the beginning, the media focused on Streisand's appearance, criticizing her nose and other physical attributes. However, as she became a superstar, the narrative changed, and she was celebrated for her immense success and talent. Nevertheless, the insults she faced early in her career still hurt her, while the praise she receives feels unbelievable. Streisand decided to write her autobiography to have control over her own story and correct any misconceptions. The book took almost 25 years to complete, filled with details about backstage arguments, falling off a London bus, and even cloning her favorite dog. Streisand also shares her love for food, nostalgically recalling baking cupcakes with dark chocolate icing in her childhood kitchen. Growing up in Brooklyn, Streisand faced hardships, with her father passing away when she was only 15 months old, leaving the family in poverty. Her stepfather was distant and cruel, and her mother did not acknowledge or support her passion for acting. Despite these challenges, her friend Marilyn Bergman believed that Streisand's desire for unconditional love as a child motivated her throughout her life, ultimately leading her to the spotlight. Streisand's dream started to come true when she won a talent contest in a gay bar in Manhattan at the age of 17. She began performing in shows, attracting attention from celebrities, record labels, and theatrical impresarios. Her breakthrough role came in the play "Funny Girl," which earned her rave reviews and established her as a sensation. However, she faced challenges from co-star Sydney Chaplin, who tried to sabotage her performance. Throughout her career, Streisand encountered stage fright, problematic male collaborators, and both admiration and male attention from famous figures like Omar Sharif and Marlon Brando. Despite these experiences, she achieved great success in both movies and music, becoming the second best-selling female artist of all time. Streisand's memoir aims to dispel the "diva" image associated with her and settle old scores. At 81 years old, she sees the book as a conclusion to her career and hopes to spend more time enjoying life with her loved ones.