Powerhouse singer Barbra Streisand still has the pipes at age 83 — but lackluster sales of her duet album The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2 suggest the diva’s days as a guaranteed success may turn out to be nothing more than a fond memory.
The 11-track collection — a companion to her 2014 album Partners — debuted at the disappointing No. 31 spot on the Billboard 200, despite a lineup of living legends including Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Mariah Carey, Sting and Wicked star Ariana Grande.
“She’s devastated,” a longtime pal says. “She thought that recording with Ariana would deliver a top 10 hit. This was supposed to be Barbra’s big moment. She thought she was making Grammy history — instead she’s facing one of her biggest flops.”
The Secret of Life did top Amazon’s CD and vinyl charts, but sources say those sales skew toward older buyers — and it appears that the album’s overall numbers are nothing to sing about.
“The world has moved on, and Barbra didn’t notice,” the insider adds. “Barbra is used to standing ovations. This feels like a door slamming shut.”
