Barbra Streisand’s Refusal to Undergo Plastic Surgery for Success

Barbra Streisand's Unyielding Stance on Her Unique Appearance Propels Her to Success

Barbra Streisand, the esteemed EGOT-winning performer, is widely recognized for her distinctively curved nose, alongside her powerful voice.

However, during her early years as a budding singer in the 1960s, some individuals suggested that the “Funny Girl” actress should consider altering her signature feature if she desired fame.

In an excerpt from Streisand's memoir, “My Name Is Barbra,” which People shared, the singer discloses that numerous people advised her to undergo a nose job and get veneers to make it in the industry.

She pondered, “Isn't my talent enough?”

She also considered the potential pain and expense of the procedure, along with the uncertainty of entrusting someone to meet her exact expectations.

Streisand's steadfast refusal to succumb to societal pressure highlights her unwavering determination throughout her extensive career.

It also emphasizes her protective nature towards her most prized attribute and international claim to fame: her voice.

A Fear of Altering Her Voice Deters Streisand from Nasal Surgery

In her memoir, Streisand shares that a doctor informed her of having a deviated septum, a condition where one nasal passage is significantly smaller than the other.

She suspected that this deviation contributed to her unique vocal timbre.

Consequently, undergoing nasal surgery to rectify this issue seemed too risky and unbearable.

When speaking with Rachel Martin of NPR in 2022, Streisand stated, “That probably hurts.

It might even change the sound of my voice.

You know, my deviated septum makes me who I am.

Why would I change it?”

Additionally, at the beginning of her career, even her name was subject to scrutiny.

“When I first started to record…they wanted me to change my name to Barbra Sands.

No — Joni Sands or something like that.”

(Although she never adopted a stage name, she did alter the spelling of her name.)

Streisand vehemently claimed in a 1977 Playboy magazine interview, as documented on Barbra-Archives.com, that a nose job would have been detrimental to her entire career.

Furthermore, she expressed in her memoir that her decision was rooted in personal preference.

The singer admired the appearance of individuals with long, curved noses, like Italian actress Silvana Mangano, whom she believed to be beautiful.

A Blessing and a Curse: Streisand's Perception of Her Unique Nose

Choosing not to undergo a nose job may have preserved Streisand's voice, but it certainly did not shield her from enduring decades of intense criticism and unwelcome fascination.

In her memoir, she recounts the 1964 Time cover story that read, “This nose is a shrine.

The face it divides is long and sad, and the look in repose is the essence of a hound.”

Streisand admitted that these comments and numerous others throughout her career were hurtful.

On the flip side, Streisand credits her unique nose for shielding her from the prevalent s**ual harassment in Hollywood.

During a Los Angeles event in 2018, she revealed that she had never experienced such misconduct, stating, “I wasn't like those pretty girls with nice little noses.

Maybe that's why,” according to HuffPost.

Streisand's memoir provides an intimate glimpse into the vulnerabilities of this larger-than-life performer, exposing her struggles with constant criticism regarding her appearance, which often overshadowed recognition of her talent.

However, as she stated in a 2003 Reader's Digest interview (via Barbara-Archives.com), “I'm not going to cry over it.

I'm trying to be in the moment, and I'm enjoying my life.”

Streisand's remarkable career serves as a testament to her ability to find joy in life, embracing her long, curved nose along the way.