‘It Just Slipped Out’: Barbra Streisand Recalls Greeting JFK With Unorthodox Compliment

Barbra Streisand nonetheless remembers what she referred to as President John F. Kennedy.

The president had reportedly seen Streisand on “The Dinah Shore Chevy Present” and, dazzled by the younger expertise, invited her to sing on the 1963 White Home Correspondents’ Dinner. Streisand was solely 20 years previous on the time — and broke some cardinal guidelines.

“You could know by now that I could be remarkably blasé about a number of issues, however this was thrilling, even for me,” wrote Streisand in her new memoir, “My Title Is Barbra,” an excerpt of which was obtained by Individuals.

Streisand designed her personal robe for the night and carried out three songs, together with “Glad Days Are Right here Once more,” earlier than being lined as much as meet Kennedy. She and the remainder of the performers have been particularly requested, nevertheless, to not request an autograph.

“When JFK acquired to me, he advised me that I had a stupendous voice and requested, ‘How lengthy have you ever been singing?’” Streisand wrote in her memoir, per Individuals. “I stated, ‘About so long as you’ve been president.’ He laughed, after which I did precisely what we have been advised to not do.”

The singer had already charmed Kennedy along with her humor and, realizing it could seemingly be her solely likelihood, handed him a card from her dinner desk. Streisand solid all White Home etiquette apart and requested Kennedy to signal it — noting her mom could be overjoyed.

The president graciously agreed, just for Streisand to exclaim: “You’re a doll.”

“I assume some individuals have been somewhat stunned to listen to me saying it to the president,” she wrote in her memoir. “Frankly, it simply slipped out.”

Streisand beforehand joked about that second on Instagram, however has solely now revealed that she misplaced Kennedy’s signature by the point she acquired house. She sadly by no means had one other likelihood as Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, six months later.

Streisand nonetheless stands by her praise and reportedly famous in her e-book that Kennedy actually did resemble a doll that everybody was enamored by. The singer herself, in the meantime, was awarded with the Kennedy Middle Honors in 2008 for her contributions to the humanities.

With 5 Emmys and Golden Globes, 10 Grammys, three Peabody Awards and two Oscars, Streisand has actually curated fairly a profession. The singer has since shared numerous intriguing tales in her memoir — akin to being courted by Marlon Brando.

“My Title Is Barbra” hit cabinets and digital bookstores Nov. 7.