Barbra Streisand’s Robert Redford Tribute at Oscars Serving as a ‘Catalyst’ to ‘Relaunch’ Her Career

Barbra Streisand is ready to shake off her longtime stage fright and resume public concert performances for the first time since 2019 after being inspired to sing her heart out to honor her late friend Robert Redford, sources tell the National Enquirer.

“Barbra absolutely adored Robert,” an insider confides. “She was utterly devastated when he passed away.”

According to insiders, the turning point came for Streisand when producers for the Academy Awards asked the powerhouse vocalist to lend her pipes to the broadcast’s In Memoriam segment, which included a tribute to Redford, her costar in 1973’s The Way We Were.

Streisand, 83, and renowned filmmaker Redford, who passed away at age 89 in September 2025, portrayed a married couple in the tearjerker, which spawned her hit tune of the same name. The singer, who’s been married to Hotel star James Brolin since 1998, has always spoken fondly of Redford and admitted being “thrilled” over having once been the hunk’s leading lady.

In the book Barbra Streisand: Redefining Beauty, Femininity, and Power, author Neal Gabler asserts that the Funny Girl gal had a crush on her handsome castmate and explains, “It was obvious Barbra was just too, too crazy about Bob,” reports said.

That’s why, a spy explains, Streisand is once again eager to “sing from the heart” for live audiences.

“Amazingly, this whole experience has melted away a lot of Barbra’s inhibitions about performing,” the insider says. “Her plan is to use it as a catalyst that will relaunch her concert career.”

The insider says Streisand was eager for the Oscars to “remind the world” how special Redford was and is taking her inspiration from her talented pal’s extraordinary life.

The insider also notes, “The fact he’s given her this extraordinary gift from beyond the grave is more proof to her that he was a truly magical human being who enriched her life more than she can possibly describe.”

Another insider adds, “She wants to make the most of the time she has left and performing for her fans brings her a huge amount of joy. She’s ready for another go.”