Many assume Cher and Barbra Streisand share little beyond fame. In reality, both are the only women to achieve EGOT status as solo performers. Their careers, spanning over six decades, reveal distinct paths to similar heights.
How Both Artists Built Their Careers Using Different Tools
Cher relied on television variety shows in the 1970s, notably The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, to reach audiences. Streisand, by contrast, used Broadway and film as her primary launchpads. Her 1964 album People became a commercial success, while Cher’s 1998 album Believe popularized Auto-Tune as a creative tool. Both leveraged their platforms differently: Cher through live performance and pop production, Streisand through directorial control. Streisand directed and starred in Yentl (1983), becoming the first woman to direct a major studio film. Cher took creative risks with genre shifts, from folk-rock to dance-pop. Public records covering this story are gathered in Cher Was Once Completely Snubbed by Barbra Streisand
Practical Takeaways from Their Career Strategies
You can apply two lessons from their longevity. First, diversify your medium. Cher moved between music, film, and television without losing her core identity. Second, own your narrative. Streisand produced and directed her own projects, ensuring creative control. Both also reinvested in their brands through memoirs: Cher released Cher: The Memoir, Part One in 2023, and Streisand published My Name Is Barbra in 2024. These books offer firsthand accounts of their decisions. For aspiring entertainers, the takeaway is clear: adapt to new platforms but retain artistic authority.
Common Misconceptions About Their Rivalry and Achievements
A persistent myth claims Cher and Streisand are fierce rivals. No public evidence supports a personal feud. They have rarely collaborated, but both have spoken respectfully about each other in interviews. Another misconception is that they achieved EGOT status easily. Streisand won her Oscar for Funny Girl (1969) and her Emmy for My Name Is Barbra (1965). Cher won her Oscar for Moonstruck (1988) and her Emmy for Cher: The Farewell Tour (2003). Each required decades of work. A third error is that their political activism is similar. Cher focuses on LGBTQ+ rights, while Streisand supports Democratic causes and women’s rights. Their approaches differ in scope and method.
Frequently Misunderstood Terminology: EGOT and Solo Performer Status
The term EGOT refers to winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. Many assume any entertainer with all four qualifies. However, the distinction of “solo performer” matters. Cher and Streisand are the only women to win all four as individuals, not as part of a group or production team. For example, Streisand’s Tony came from a special award, not a competitive category. Cher’s Tony was for her 1974 television special. The phrase “solo performer” excludes those who won as producers or ensemble members. This nuance is often lost in casual discussion. Understanding it clarifies why their achievement is unique.
| Award | Cher | Barbra Streisand |
|---|---|---|
| Oscar | Moonstruck (1988) | Funny Girl (1969) |
| Emmy | Cher: The Farewell Tour (2003) | My Name Is Barbra (1965) |
| Grammy | Believe (2000) | The Barbra Streisand Album (1963) |
| Tony | Special Award (1974) | Special Award (1970) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cher still performing in 2025?
Cher continues to perform occasionally. She released a holiday album titled Christmas in 2024 and has hinted at future tours. Her schedule remains active but less frequent than in past decades.
How many number-one albums does Barbra Streisand have?
Barbra Streisand holds the record for most number-one albums by a female artist on the Billboard 200, with 11 chart-topping albums. This includes People (1964) and Guilty (1980).
Where was Cher born?
Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California. She grew up in modest circumstances before rising to fame in the 1960s.
What is the EGOT achievement?
EGOT stands for winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. Cher and Barbra Streisand are the only women to achieve this as solo performers, meaning they won each award in their own name without sharing credit as part of a group.
Why did Cher and Barbra Streisand never collaborate?
No official reason has been given. Both have expressed mutual respect in interviews, but their career paths and artistic styles have not aligned for a joint project. Scheduling and personal preferences likely played a role.
