Barbra Streisand will miss Cannes closing

Barbra Streisand said on May 17 that she will not travel to Cannes for the festival’s closing ceremony after a knee injury, ending plans for an in-person appearance at one of the event’s biggest tribute moments. The 84-year-old singer, actor and director had been due to receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the 79th Festival de Cannes on Saturday, May 23. (variety.com) Cannes organizers said the tribute will still go ahead. Streisand’s withdrawal was announced six days before the closing ceremony in the festival’s official press release and in reports by Variety and other outlets. (festival-cannes.com) ### What did Streisand say about missing Cannes? Streisand said her doctors advised her not to attend as she continues recovering from a knee injury. In a statement carried by Cannes and reported by Variety, she said she was “sadly unable” to attend the festival this year and added that she was “deeply honored” to receive the award. (festival-cannes.com) Variety reported on May 17 that representatives for Streisand said the injury would keep her from appearing in person at the ceremony. The statement did not specify when the injury occurred or whether she would address the festival remotely. ### What exactly is Cannes giving her? (variety.com) Cannes said Streisand is being awarded an honorary Palme d’Or, the festival’s career honor, during the closing ceremony of its 79th edition. The festival described her as an American icon whose work spans acting, directing, producing, screenwriting, singing and songwriting. The festival’s press release placed Streisand alongside two other 2026 honorary Palme d’Or recipients. (festival-cannes.com) Peter Jackson was announced as an honoree for the opening ceremony, and John Travolta received a surprise honorary Palme d’Or on May 15 ahead of the screening of his directorial debut, according to Cannes coverage and festival reporting. (variety.com) ### Why was this appearance notable for Cannes? The 79th Festival de Cannes runs from May 12 to May 23, making the closing ceremony one of the last high-profile events of this year’s festival. Cannes said Streisand’s tribute had been scheduled as part of that final night. (festival-cannes.com) Festival organizers did not announce a replacement appearance or any change to the closing-night program when they disclosed Streisand’s absence. Their statement said only that she would be unable to attend and that the festival would honor her career during the ceremony. ### How did Cannes describe Streisand’s career? (festival-cannes.com) Cannes said Streisand’s body of work includes achievements across film and music, and the festival framed the award as recognition of a career that has extended over decades. The official release called her an actress, director, producer, screenwriter, singer and songwriter. (festival-cannes.com) Outside the festival release, coverage of the announcement pointed to films including “Funny Girl,” “The Way We Were,” “Yentl,” “A Star Is Born” and “The Prince of Tides” as part of the screen career being recognized. Those titles were cited in follow-up reports after the Cannes announcement. (festival-cannes.com) ### What happens next at the closing ceremony? Saturday, May 23, is the date Cannes has set for its closing ceremony, where Streisand is still due to be honored despite not attending in person. The festival has not said who will present the tribute onstage or whether Streisand will participate by video. (festival-cannes.com) The final ceremony will also mark the close of the 79th Festival de Cannes, which opened on May 12 and has already included honorary Palme d’Or moments for Peter Jackson and John Travolta. Cannes’ next public update on Streisand’s honor is expected through the festival’s closing-ceremony coverage and official releases. (festival-cannes.com 1) (festival-cannes.com 2) (yahoo.com)