Photographed by Francesco Scavullo, Vogue, April 1975
On economic style:
“Why spend a thousand dollars on a fancy beaded gown? I would rather buy simple gingham and spend what I saved on antique furniture for my new apartment. Besides, I’ve always loved gingham. But I’m sure some people in Hollywood thought I was wearing a tablecloth.”
Moral: It seems like this is God (or Barbra, or maybe they’re the same entity?) telling me to buy the gingham Ganni dress I want.
On the importance of opposites attracting:
“Elliott and I were so alike…two Jewish strays, in a way. I’m not sure two people who are so alike should marry each other. There was no mystery.”
Moral: I still want a biopic miniseries about Gould and Streisand’s marriage.
On the perks of fame:
“As a teenager, I decided I had to get famous for various reasons, and one of them was to get waited on in department stores. Now stores let me come in after hours to shop. It’s one of the perks of fame, and they even put out little treats to eat! Often I’ll take my goddaughters or some very close friends along. (It’s a far cry from the days when my height of sophistication was the A&S on Fulton Street.)”
Moral: The idea of Barbra Streisand snacking on some Triscuits and cheese while shopping in a shut-down Chanel is so endearing to me.
On standing up for yourself:
“If the music doesn’t sound like what I imagined…or better…all I need to say is, ‘It just doesn’t feel right.’”
Moral: We all need some of this energy.
On art appreciation:
“Just because it’s by a great artist doesn’t mean it’s a great painting.”
Moral: This one has so many implications, even outside of the art world!
On substance use:
“I’m basically too much of a realist to be attracted to drugs or alcohol (never liked the taste of it anyway). Life is fascinating enough.”
Moral: Agree to disagree, but I respect the thought.
On not winding up with the wrong guy:
“My brain was in love, but not my body.”
Moral: Not only is this an important distinction to make, but it is so iconic that Streisand is talking about Pierre Trudeau here.
On the fallibility of nostalgia (and meeting Bella Abzug):
“I have no idea what I said, but I do remember stopping at Yonah Schimmel’s for knishes. The blueberry cheese…Oh my God! I went back there recently, and it wasn’t quite the same…but I guess it’s hard, even for a knish, to live up to your memories.”
Moral: I love any knish-based life philosophy.
On setting boundaries:
“I don’t sing at home, I don’t sing in the shower, and I don’t sing at parties.”
Moral: In the hallowed words of Rihanna, bitch better have my money!
On revisiting old flings:
“Then I hung up and asked myself, Did I sleep with Warren [Beatty]? I kind of remember. I guess I did. Probably once.”
Moral: Good for her.