Barbra Streisand Reveals Pay Gap in Meet the Parents Franchise, Calls for Fair Compensation in Hollywood

In a recent interview with Variety, the legendary singer and actress Barbra Streisand, 83, revealed that she was not fairly compensated for her roles in the Meet the Parents movie franchise. Streisand, who starred in the sequels Meet the Fockers in 2004 and Little Fockers in 2010, expressed her dissatisfaction with the pay gap between herself and the other actors in the films. "Oh, my God. They’d have to pay me a lot of money because I didn’t get paid what the other people got paid, and so I’m pissed off," Streisand said. "I was in the time when women were getting paid less than the men." Despite her role in the franchise, Streisand claimed that Ron Meyer, the head of Universal at the time, "actually sent me a bonus check" following her role in the movies. "It was very sweet," she added. When asked about her future with the franchise after Ariana Grande was cast in the upcoming Meet the Parents movie, Streisand responded, "You’re kidding." She then shared that she is a fan of Grande and recently watched her starring role as Glinda in Wicked with her grandchildren. "I was just watching their reaction and they were totally fine with the witches. I was surprised. A four- and a six-year-old, you know?" she said. Streisand's revelation about her pay gap in the Meet the Parents movie franchise highlights the ongoing issue of gender inequality in Hollywood and underscores the need for fair compensation for all actors, regardless of their gender or status. In fact, Streisand has recruited Grande and Mariah Carey to perform a song titled "One Heart, One Voice" on her upcoming album, The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two, which will be released on June 27. "They’re the hottest, biggest, most wonderful voices," Streisand told Variety of Grande and Carey. "And they both said yes to join me." Streisand's comments come at a time when Hollywood is facing increased scrutiny over its treatment of women and underrepresented groups. The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have brought attention to the issue of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the industry, and Streisand's revelation adds to the growing list of instances where women have been paid less than their male counterparts for similar roles. As Streisand prepares to release her new album and continue her career, her words serve as a reminder that fair compensation is not just an issue for actors but for all those who work in the entertainment industry. It is crucial that we continue to hold our leaders accountable for ensuring that everyone is treated equally and fairly, regardless of their gender or status.