Barbra Streisand goes viral for thinly-veiled dig at Wicked and Ariana Grande
Barbra Streisand went viral on Tuesday for making a thinly-veiled dig at Wicked, the hit big-screen adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical starring her upcoming duet partner Ariana Grande.
'I showed it to my grandchildren,' the 83-year-old EGOT champ told the Just for Variety podcast on Monday. 'They loved Wicked.'
When asked again directly if she enjoyed Wicked, Barbra avoided expressing her opinion but offered:
'I was just watching their reaction and they were totally fine with the witches. I was surprised. A four- and a six-year-old, you know?'
At that, X user @TomZohar mocked up a movie poster topped by Streisand's unenthused pull quote 'totally fine' along with the caption: 'Wicked's marketing team after reading this interview.'
X user @HeyBuckHey tweeted a meme of Aretha Franklin similarly responding to the Wall Street Journal in 2014 about how she felt about Taylor Swift: 'Great gowns. Beautiful gowns.'
'Honestly the funnier part to me is the implication that children wouldn't be okay with/enamored by witches and magic,' X user @BenWambeke tweeted.
'As if Harry Potter, Frozen etc never existed LOL!'
X user @norabird gushed: 'God she's perfect!'
'I love her,' X user @kikiballchange agreed.
The Brooklyn-born grandmother-of-four enlisted the 31-year-old pop star's four-octave soprano pipes as well as Mariah Carey's five-octave soprano pipes to help her sing One Heart, One Voice on her 37th studio album The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two, dropping this Friday.
'They're the hottest, biggest, most wonderful voices. And they both said yes to join me,' Barbra gushed of Ariana and the 56-year-old R&B diva who collaborated on a Yes, And? remix last year.
'They brought me people that were just superb. Everyone was different and yet marvelous.'
Streisand's collection of duets also features Hozier, Paul McCartney, Sam Smith, Bob Dylan, Laufey, Tim McGraw, James Taylor, Sting, Josh Groban, and Seal.
It marked Grande's (born Butera) third time performing with Carey, who hired her and Jennifer Hudson to appear in her Apple TV+ Magical Christmas Special in 2020.
'Honestly the funnier part to me is the implication that children wouldn't be okay with/enamored by witches and magic,' X user @BenWambeke tweeted. 'As if Harry Potter, Frozen etc never existed LOL!'
On May 30, the two-time Grammy winner was cast as Henry Focker's ball-busting fiancée in John Hamburg's untitled fourth Meet the Parents movie already scheduled to hit US theaters November 25, 2026.
Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, and Owen Wilson have all signed on to reprise their roles in the Universal Pictures comedy.
But don't expect the Yentl director-star to reprise her part as frizzy-haired matriarch Roz Focker from Meet the Fockers in 2004 as 'They'd have to pay me a lot of money.'
'I didn't get paid what the other people got paid and so I'm pi**ed off,' Barbra scoffed.
'I was in the time when women were getting paid less than the men. The head of Universal was Ron Meyer at the time, and he actually sent me a bonus check. It was very sweet.'
The prior three Meet the Parents films, spanning 2000-2010, amassed a combined $1.1B at the global box office.
Meanwhile, Streisand - whose memoir My Name Is Barbra was published in 2023 - is currently in production on a multi-part documentary about her life directed by Frank Marshall.
It marked Grande's (born Butera) third time performing with Carey, who hired her and Jennifer Hudson (L) to appear in her Apple TV+ Magical Christmas Special in 2020
July 1 will mark the 29th anniversary of the Love Will Survive singer and second husband James Brolin's first blind date after they were set up by a mutual friend following his 1995 divorce from second ex-wife Jan Smithers and her 1971 divorce from ex-husband Elliot Gould.
The 84-year-old Emmy winner had to ask for Barbra's hand in marriage three times before she agreed, and they reportedly did not have sex until their wedding night.
Streisand has sold over 150M records worldwide and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 five times throughout her six-decade career.
Fans can catch more of Ariana as the Good Witch of the South Galinda Upland in Jon M. Chu's $150M-budget sequel Wicked: For Good, which hits US/UK theaters on November 21.
The first fantasy flick received critical acclaim and amassed $756M at the global box office.
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What the paddock really thinks of new F1 film
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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: A Sky Full of Wonder Held every October in New Mexico, this is the largest hot air balloon event in the world. Over 500 balloons lift off at dawn, creating a surreal landscape of color. The mass ascension is something travelers say you have to see to believe. Here's why it's special: Photography lovers will be in heaven with early morning shots. Families enjoy the glow events and fireworks in the evening. Local food stalls offer everything from chili-roasted corn to frybread. 4. SXSW in Austin: Tech, Tunes, and Talks Collide South by Southwest (SXSW) is a mash-up of film, music, and tech. It's held in March and draws innovators and creatives from all over the world to downtown Austin, Texas. One minute you're listening to a startup pitch, the next you're at a rooftop concert. The best part? You might catch a surprise performance from a big-name artist. Food trucks nearby serve up legendary Austin BBQ. Using an America eSIM here means you don't have to rely on hotel Wi-Fi to share your experience or check schedules on the go. Local businesses host free events if you're traveling on a budget. 5. The Kentucky Derby: Hats, Horses, and Heritage Held every first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby in Louisville is more than just a horse race. It's a celebration of Southern charm, tradition, and, yes, those iconic hats. The two-minute race might be the main event, but the festivities span an entire week. Why plan your trip around it? 'Derby fashion' is a unique experience in itself. Bourbon tastings and mint juleps are local musts. The Derby Museum offers history buffs a deeper look into horse racing culture. 6. Burning Man: Art in the Desert Like You've Never Seen Taking place in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, Burning Man isn't your typical festival — it's a temporary city built on radical expression. 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No matter what kind of traveler you are — foodie, music lover, techie, or adventure seeker — there's a US event tailored just for you. These festivals don't just entertain; they connect you with local culture in unforgettable ways. With tools like an America eSIM, planning and staying online during your festival-hopping adventures is hassle-free. So, as you plan your next trip, ask yourself — which of these events will make your calendar this year? Filed Under: Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
