Swazi-English actor Richard E. Grant, an academy award nominee in 2019 for his role as Jack Hock in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, has been a lifelong fan of Barbra Streisand.
Growing up in Swaziland in the early 60s, Grant's first exposure to Streisand was in the film version of the musical Funny Girl, after which he "avidly followed" Streisand's career, buying all her records, and eventually penning her a letter when he felt it was her time of need.
Grant posted a picture of himself standing outside Barbra Streisand's house and included the text of said letter:
"I am fourteen years old I read in the paper that you were feeling very tired and pressurized by your fame and failed romance with Mr Ryan O'Neal," reads the letter.
"I would like to offer you a two-week holiday, or longer, at our house, which is very beautiful with a pool and a magnificent view of the Ezulwini Valley. Which the Swazi people call Valley of Heaven. I think you will agree when you see it.
"Here you can rest. No one will trouble you and I assure you you will not be mobbed in the street as your films only show in our one cinema for three days, so not that many people will know who you are, so no chance of being mobbed. Please consider this respite seriously. You will always be welcome."
Streisand read Grant's letter 47 years later and posted the most lovely response to it.
Grant, now 61, had his own personal fangirl moment.
In fact, there is photo evidence of his reaction.
Where did all these feels come from?
In a world where Chicago is literally colder than Antarctica this week, this definitely brought a little bit of warmth and light into our days.
Every celebrity got their inspiration to start working as an artist somewhere.
Barbra was likely the inspiration for an entire generation of artists. And how could she not be with her iconic rendition of "Rain On My Parade"?
DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE - BARBRA STREISANDwww.youtube.com
Ain't social media a beautiful thing?
@thekalenallen/Threads
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