Despite earning an honorary Palme D’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Barbra Streisand won’t be accepting her trophy in person.
“On the advice of my doctors, as I continue recovering from a knee injury, I am sadly unable to attend the Festival de Cannes this year,” Streisand, 84, told Variety in a Sunday, May 17, statement. “I am deeply honored to receive the honorary Palme d’Or and had so been looking forward to celebrating the remarkable films of the 79th edition.”
The EGOT recipient was set to receive the legendary accolade at the closing ceremony of the French film festival later this month.
“I was also very much looking forward to spending time with colleagues whom I so admire — and, of course, returning to France, a place I have always loved,” Streisand continued in her statement. “While I regret that I can’t be there in person, I want to extend my warmest congratulations to all of the filmmakers from around the world whose extraordinary talent and creative vision are being celebrated this year.”
Barbra Streisand has captivated the stage, screen and world with her acclaimed career and one-of-a-kind vocals. Streisand landed her big break at age 19 in 1962, scoring the role of Miss Marmelstein in I Can Get It for You Wholesale on Broadway. Two years later, she originated the role of Fanny Brice in the stage production of Funny […]
She concluded, “My heartfelt thanks to the festival, and to everyone who continues to support and champion the art of cinema.”
Variety also reported that Cannes will still pay tribute to Streisand during its Saturday, May 23, closing ceremony, despite her absence.
“The entire festival team sends Barbra Streisand their warmest wishes for a prompt recovery,” a spokesperson for Cannes added in a press release.
Streisand will be the third Palme D’Or winner at Cannes this year, alongside Lord of the Rings filmmaker Peter Jackson and Grease actor John Travolta.
“I can’t believe this. This is the last thing I expected,” Travolta, 72, gushed of the honor during the Friday, May 15, premiere of his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach. “This is beyond the Oscar.”
Travolta tearfully called the honor a “humbling moment.”
“When I met with you in November, I had no expectation that my film would be accepted,” he said, referring to festival director Thierry Frémaux. “And when Thierry said it was not only accepted but it was making history because it would be the first film ever accepted that early, I cried like a baby because I just couldn’t believe it. Because in my opinion, you are the most discerning person in the movie industry. I was just happy to be here! I never expected this. Thank you so much.”
Travolta attended the festival with his 26-year-old daughter, Ella, whom he shared with late wife Kelly Preston, alongside two sons.
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