Barbra Streisand Delivers Heartfelt Tribute at the 2026 Oscars in Her First Performance in Seven Years
Barbra Streisand made a poignant return to the stage at the Oscars on March 15, 2026, marking her first performance in seven years. During the ceremony’s In Memoriam segment, she honored her late co-star Robert Redford by singing “The Way We Were,” the title track from their 1973 film of the same name.
Streisand’s tribute to Redford, who passed away last September at the age of 89, resonated deeply with the audience. “After I read the first script of The Way We Were, I could only imagine one man in the role, and that was Robert Redford… So many drafts later, Bob finally agreed to do it,” she remarked as she took the stage.
Reflecting on Redford’s character, she echoed his views on the role: “He said the character had no backbone… and he was right. He had real backbone on and off the screen.” Streisand called him an “intellectual cowboy” who “blazed his own trail” and highlighted his accomplishments, including winning an Academy Award for Best Director. “I miss him now more than ever, even though he loved teasing me,” she added.
Prior to this year, Streisand last performed at the Oscars in 2013 when she sang the same song to honor composer Marvin Hamlisch. Her last full concert tour occurred in 2017, and she headlined events in London and New York City in 2019.
In The Way We Were, Streisand portrayed Katie, a political activist, while Redford played Hubbell, a man with little political ambition. The film depicted their complicated relationship, emphasizing their contrasting ideals.
Streisand fondly recalled the time spent filming with Redford, noting, “Every day on the set of The Way We Were was exciting, intense, and pure joy.” She expressed admiration for their differences, stating, “We were such opposites: he was from the world of horses; I was allergic to them.”
Both a tribute to a cherished co-star and a powerful reminder of her enduring presence, Streisand’s performance left a significant impact on the 2026 Oscars ceremony.
