Barbra Streisand forced to miss Cannes Film Festival because of injury

Barbra Streisand has been forced to miss this year's Cannes Film Festival, where she is receiving a major honor, because of a knee injury.

The Oscar-winning "Funny Girl" star, 84, is one of the recipients of an honorary Palme d'Or at the festival in France, but on May 17, she confirmed she won't be able to attend.

"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 said in a statement shared by the festival. "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."

She added, "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. 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."

Festival organizers sent Streisand their "warmest wishes for a prompt recovery." A tribute to the iconic actress, singer and director will still take place during the festival's closing ceremony on May 23.

Streisand was announced as a recipient of an honorary Palme d'Or, the prestigious film festival's version of a lifetime achievement award, in March.

At the time, festival director Thierry Frémaux described Streisand as the "legendary synthesis between Broadway and Hollywood, between the music hall stage and the big screen," adding, "Hearing her sing and seeing her perform are part of our best years."

Peter Jackson and John Travolta also received an honorary Palme d'Or at this year's festival. Elijah Wood presented his "Lord of the Rings" director with the award, and Travolta cried when he received his, calling the "humbling" honor "the last thing I expected."

Other honorary Palme d'Or recipients in recent years include Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, George Lucas and Meryl Streep.

In March, Streisand stepped out at the 2026 Academy Awards, where she paid tribute to her "The Way We Were" costar Robert Redford. Describing the late actor and director as an "intellectual cowboy who blazed his own trail," she said, "I miss him now more than ever."

Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY