From Vanity Fair · Brian Raftery · · 2m
Celebrity Audiobook Memoirs
Stars like Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli create 50-hour audiobooks that redefine storytelling.
In brief
Stars like Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli create 50-hour audiobooks that redefine storytelling. Celebrity audiobooks, including Barbra Streisand's 50-hour memoir, are becoming crucial for artists to share intimate stories with fans. Originally reported by Vanity Fair.
Audiobook Memoir Challenge
Tony winner Marc Shaiman hung a motivational sign in his Manhattan studio that read 'Slow the fuck down.'
“Slow the fuck down”
Shaiman's Audiobook Process
Shaiman spent almost two months recording his memoir Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner.
“Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner”
Celebrity Audiobook Boom
In 2026, Lena Dunham, Christina Applegate, Brandy, Liza Minnelli, and Hayden Panettiere all landed on the New York Times Audio Nonfiction bestseller list.
“New York Times Audio Nonfiction bestseller list”
Audiobook Industry Growth
The U.S. audiobook industry is worth nearly $2.5 billion, with celebrity memoirs becoming a reliable subcategory.
“$2.5 billion”
Early Audiobook Challenges
In the mid-1970s, audiobooks were aimed at bored commuters and existed in a backwater of the book-publishing industry.
“backwater of the book-publishing industry”
Long-Form Memoirs
Barbra Streisand's 2023 memoir My Name Is Barbra delivers nearly 50 hours of pure, uncut content.
“My Name Is Barbra”
Audiobook Producer Insights
Audiobook producer Joan Sergay says people are hungry for access and audio memoirs lend a sense of humanity.
“people are hungry for access”
Recording Process Strain
It’s rare for someone to finish recording a memoir and say it’s their favorite thing they’ve ever done.
“It’s rare somebody finishes recording a memoir and says, oh that’s my favorite thing i’ve ever done”
Penguin Random House Audio
Penguin Random House Audio’s Los Angeles headquarters opened in 2025 with recording booths and Audie Awards shelf.
“2025”
Creative Director Kelly Gildea
Kelly Gildea, creative director of Penguin Random House Audio Production, has produced memoirs for Diane Keaton and Prince Harry.
“Diane Keaton”
Lena Dunham's Famesick
Lena Dunham recorded her eleven-hour audiobook Famesick over six nights at a Manhattan studio.
“Famesick”
Dunham's Narration Style
Dunham’s narration on Famesick is propulsive, to the point, and sneakily funny or devastating.
“propulsive, to the point, and sneakily funny”
Al Pacino's Sonny Boy
Al Pacino recorded his twelve-hour memoir Sonny Boy: A Memoir over a period of time.
“Sonny Boy: A Memoir”
Pacino's Emotional Journey
Pacino’s narration for Sonny Boy: A Memoir includes moments of heartache and euphoria.
“heartache and euphoria”
Robert Evans' Legacy
Robert Evans recorded his 1994 autobiography The Kid Stays in the Picture, which became a sensation.
“The Kid Stays in the Picture”
Audiobook Technology Shift
Amazon paid $300 million for Audible in 2008, leading to increased audiobook accessibility.
“$300 million”
The bottom line
Celebrity audiobooks, including Barbra Streisand's 50-hour memoir, are becoming crucial for artists to share intimate stories with fans.
