What few knew about her paycheck
It may come as a surprise: Barbra Streisand – the legendary star with countless records in music and film – was paid significantly less than her male co-stars in the hit comedies Meet the Fockers (2004) and Little Fockers (2010). Recently, she openly admitted that this pay gap left her with lasting frustration
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A star who never needed to prove herself
By the time she joined the franchise, Streisand was already an icon. She had been the best-selling female artist since the 1960s, won an Oscar for her very first lead role (Funny Girl), and achieved another triumph with A Star Is Born (1976). In music, she remains the only artist to have Top-10 albums in six consecutive decades. With such an extraordinary résumé, it’s hard to believe she was undervalued in a blockbuster.
Hollywood’s old story of inequality
In recent interviews, Streisand was candid: “I was paid much less than they were. And I think if there’s ever another sequel, it has to change.” Her words echo beyond her personal experience, shining a light on the long-standing gender pay gap in Hollywood, where even the most accomplished women often have to fight for fairness.
A voice that speaks beyond the stage
Streisand has long been a symbol of female empowerment. In 1983, she broke barriers directing Yentl, a groundbreaking move at the time. Now, even in her 80s, she continues to raise her voice for equality, carrying weight not only as a personal statement but as part of a larger fight for future generations of women in entertainment.
A legacy that still resonates
Despite her frustrations, Streisand never stopped creating. In 2025, she released The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two, an album of remarkable duets, reminding the world that her artistry remains unmatched. The story of her underpayment serves as a reminder: even legends deserve to be valued at their true worth.