Director Barbra Streisand will not receive the prestigious Palme d’Or award in person at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony on Saturday.
The “A Star Is Born” actress released a lengthy statement over the weekend explaining why she had to withdraw from the May 23 event.
The 84-year-old wrote on Sunday that she did so “on the advice of a doctor.”
“Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the Cannes Film Festival this year as I continue to recover from a knee injury,” Streisand said. “It is a great honor to win the prestigious Palme d’Or.”
The Oscar winner did not elaborate on his injury, but said he was looking forward to “celebrating the 79th great film”, “spending time with my esteemed colleagues” and “returning to France”.
He added: “While we regret not being able to be there in person, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the filmmakers around the world whose extraordinary talent and creative vision will be celebrated this year.”
“Thank you so much to the film festival and to everyone who continues to support and champion the art of film,” Streisand concluded.
In response, the festival sent a message to the singer saying, “We sincerely hope for a speedy recovery.”
Representatives for Streisand have not yet responded to Page Six’s request for comment.
In addition to Streisand, “Grease” star John Travolta and “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson will be honored at the ceremony at the Grand Theater Lumière.
Travolta debuted a new look at the film festival on Friday, making headlines when he appeared almost unrecognizable in a baggy beret and glasses.
The actor posed with his daughter Ella, 26, to mark the release of his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, which is based on the 1997 children’s book of the same name.
The 72-year-old was surprised to win the prestigious Palme d’Or before the film was screened at the Debussy Theater.
Travolta was thrilled to accept the “humiliating” award, calling it “even better than the Oscars” and exclaiming, “I can’t believe it. I never expected anything like this.”
As for Jackson, he was presented with the award by Elijah Wood at the opening ceremony.
