Over the course of her illustrious career, Barbra Streisand has been a recipient of tons of advice and guidance from various mentors and peers, yet one particularly pivotal piece of counsel has stuck with her better than all.
In her recently released memoir, My Name is Barbra, the multiple award-winning actress recently reminisced about the lasting friendship she had with Judy Garland and the invaluable piece of advice she shared with her.
Barbra Streisand says Judy Garland was a mentor to her
The 81-year-old shared that when she met Garland, contrary to people’s speculations, there was no competition between her and the late actress. “People were looking for some sort of rivalry between us,” Streisand wrote. “And when they couldn’t find anything, they made it up.”
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Streisand explained that Garland took on the role of a mentor in her life. “I found Judy to be completely generous,” she added. “We sang a medley of songs, taking turns, and she wasn’t just focused on herself. She watched me and responded to me. She would reach out and brush back a strand of my hair like a mother.”
The actress shares the invaluable advice she got
Streisand further disclosed that the late star shared her extensive experience in the entertainment industry with her so she could understand how to navigate her path in Hollywood. She added that although most of the advice didn’t resonate with her at the time until years later.
“I remember her saying something I never quite understood: ‘Don’t let them do to you what they did to me.’ I should have asked her what she meant, but I didn’t want to appear too nosy,” Streisand confessed. “Six years after we did [The Judy Garland Show], she was dead at the age of forty‑seven, what a tragedy and such a loss. She was an extraordinary talent.”
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