to think Barbra Streisand could never have become a superstar had she been born in born in 1982?

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

Instead of 1942?

Just watched most of Funny Girl today. Barbra Streisand was an enormous box office star. She had a large nose, natural boobs and was at least a modern UK size 10/possibly 12.

There is no way she could have survived in today's Hollywood and we would never have heard of her.

What a travesty.

[Floggingmolly]

They'd have had her rebuilt from scratch like the bionic woman. And she'd have done it, as well. They all do.

[Chillyegg]

I domt think many stars would from that era or even later.

[Crispbutty]

It cant be a travesty as it didnt "not happen".

And there are a few huge stars who are not "hollywoodesque".. Lady Gaga for one.

[ovenchips]

You are absolutely right. I love Funny Girl and think she was gorgeous but it certainly wasn't a gorgeous that would be deemed acceptable today.

I think FloggingMolly is right too.

[MaisyMooMoo]

It's quite sad these days how we are force fed talentless slebs and 'personalities' when there is so much real talent out there just waiting for the opportunity to shine.

[pinkdelight]

I don't know that you're right. Adele's done fine. Not saying it's easy but it never was. Babs was always pretty extraordinary.

[ovenchips]

True about Adele, but she's not playing 'sexy love interest who gets the main guy' roles in films.

[Bambambini]

I'm not so sure. Even back in her hey day, she bucked the trend and looks wise was considered hugely unconforming to the Hollywood norm for female beauty.

Personally I thought she was beautiful with such charisma and screen presence.

[EnthusiasmDisturbed]

I disagree

She is amazingly talented and has always been hard working and very ambitious

She may have not had a pop career or a career built on being different but I am sure she will have made it somehow through her talent

[EnthusiasmDisturbed]

Agree she is very charismatic great singer and a great actress

[Yellowbird54321]

Have to agree with Bambambini

[limitedperiodonly]

It was the same then.

She would not have been a superstar if she had been born in Britain. In Britain we don't like people who are good but they know they are - like Striesand.

We like plucky triers who are mediocre like Cilla Black but know their place.

Streisand hated her big arse btw.

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes]

I agree with Bambambini too, she's always been regarded as a very unconventional beauty and I think her incredible talent would still cut it today, although it is unusual to combine successful acting and singing careers.

[dustarr73]

I think she was the exception to the rule.She had one outstanding feature her singing.People like her who where not beautiful in a classical sense.

Talent always makes it through.One way or another.

[DinosaursRoar]

Thing is, there might be many talents like Strisand, but as we don't do musicals on film anymore, so they've usually picked acting or singing to make their names - or have gone down the broadway route, but rarely are as famous as singers or film/TV actors. She would probably have been an Adele.

[EstrellaCircusGirl]

Barbra is one in a million! But Oven, Barbea rarely played the sexy love interest either (those dresses are a huge exception!). By Funny Lady, Fanny is meant to be established, but step back to to Funny Girl and she's the awkward, inelegant but immensely talented one. Perfect for Barbra. I would love to play Fanny Brice.

[Crispbutty]

The beatles were hardly good looking apart from George Harrison, Mick Jagger is not exactly classically handsome either.

Marianne Faithfull, despite being connected to Jagger, was a star in her own right and personally I love her music.

Shirley Bassey was a huge superstar in that era, and she was a natural woman without the stick insect figure, fake boobs and would sell out concerts all the time.

Dont forget, the UK didnt have the massive stadium arenas then, or any equivalent to Vegas.

Times have changed. Not necessarily for the better, but there are still plenty of quirky stars who make it purely because of their talent not their looks.

[80schild]

I disagree. She is not conventionally beautiful but she has heaps of charisma and more talent in her little finger than most popstars put together. People like her always make it.

[BeaufortBelle]

And Amy Winehouse was beautiful?

[jeanswithatwist]

she was a true beauty despite having a large nose. She has a beautiful natural vocal that is to die for. Have you seen her in 'on a clear day' (movie)? stunningly beautiful lady.

[Cantseetheforest]

I think it's easier for singers to be successful regardless of looks than actresses.

[BuggersMuddle]

I kind of agree with this and yet I look at the likes of Britney (no great talent, not a great looker, rather stocky - and by the way I'm similarly stocky so not a dig) and wonder how she got through when others haven't.

There are people who make it though and don't fit the mould by quite a margin, but they seem to always have a unique selling point or an obvious reason they don't quite fit (Adele, Gaga, Ed Sheeran to name a few). If you're a Beyonce type, but happen to be a size 14, I doubt that would be an easy sell, no matter how good the voice. Incidentally it's a big reason why I think The Voice hadn't created a star (although I have not doubt there are other machinations going on, but won't cast aspersions as don't want deleted).

[Cantseetheforest]

Connection, probably! Lots of people can sing.

[feckitall]

I often think that many stars from 70 s etc would not get a look in today..when you listen the voices were not great..I can just imagine the X -Factor 1973

[Kennington]

I loved her in the way we were
Such a good film!
Both the looks of men and women seem to have less character these days, I think.
Both angelina and Jennifer have had nose jobs too. And I don't think there was much wrong with the originals.