Barbra Streisand to Miss Cannes Closing Ceremony Despite French Fanbase

Barbra Streisand has sent her regrets about attending the Closing Ceremony of the 79th Festival de Cannes on Saturday (May 23), where she is being honored. The global star suffered a knee injury that has made the trip from her Malibu, Calif., home to France inadvisable.

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“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 said in a statement . “But 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. 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. 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. My heartfelt thanks to the festival, and to everyone who continues to support and champion the art of cinema.”

Despite the disappointing news, The Festival de Cannes plans to proceed with the tribute to celebrate Streisand. The singer-actress is one of three people to receive an Honorary Palme d’Or this year, along with filmmaker Peter Jackson, best known for his work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and actor John Travolta , a two-time Oscar nominee for best actor.

Streisand, the ultimate multihyphenate (actress, director, producer, screenwriter, singer and songwriter) has long been a major star in France. Her 1966 album, Je m’appelle Barbra , was largely sung in French. It reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 . She has received two prestigious awards from the French government: Officer of the Legion of Honor (Légion d’honneur) and Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres).

The Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 12 and runs through May 23. The awards ceremony at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, hosted by actress Eye Haïdara, will be broadcast live on France Télévisions from the Palais des Festivals on Saturday, May 23, at 8:15 p.m.

“Unfortunately, the festival has just been informed that Ms. Barbra Streisand will be unable to attend the ceremony at the Grand Théâtre Lumière in Cannes,” the festival said in a statement.  “Iris Knobloch, Thierry Frémaux and the entire Festival team send Barbra Streisand their warmest wishes for a prompt recovery.”

“This year, we were keen to pay tribute to an artist who made her mark through the power of her art and her uncompromising pursuit of freedom,” Cannes festival president Iris Knobloch said in a statement when announcing Streisand’s honor in March. “As a woman, I am delighted to be able to express our admiration for this consummate creator and courageous citizen, whose example stands the test of time and continues to inspire.”

“A global star, Barbra Streisand is above all an artist, initiating projects that reflect who she is, that are her own and that she shares with the whole world,” said Cannes festival director Thierry Frémaux in a statement. “She is the legendary synthesis between Broadway and Hollywood, between the music hall stage and the big screen. Hearing her sing and seeing her perform are part of our best years.”

_Originally reported by [Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/barbra-streisand-wont-attend-cannes-closing-ceremony-2026-1236250836/)._