Barbra Streisand Shares Health Update After Missing Cannes Film Festival

Barbra Streisand just offered a health update after missing the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

On Sunday, May 17, the iconic actress, singer, and filmmaker, 84, released a statement explaining her absence from the annual film festival in Cannes, France, running from May 12–23. She was set to receive an honorary Palme d’Or during the closing ceremony on May 23.

“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 announced. “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.”

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The actress — best known for films like Funny Girl (1968), The Way We Were (1973), Yentl (1983), The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996), and more — continued, “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.”

To conclude her message, Streisand shared, “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.”

In addition to Streisand, the Cannes Film Festival named two other honorary Palme d’Or recipients. Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson received his during the opening ceremony on May 12. Meanwhile, John Travolta was surprised with the honor ahead of the premiere of Propeller One-Way Night Coach, his directorial debut. The festival will also award the Palme d’Or for best film during the closing ceremony.