Fuming Barbra Streisand fans claim she rigged a “cute pet competition” so one of her friends could win priceless tickets to her upcoming Village Vanguard show. But after Page Six started looking into the scandal, the contest results were nullified, and a new winner will be selected.
The contest was won Monday by Dina, a Coton de Tulear owned by Streisand’s friend Marilyn Smart — the breeder of the diva’s equally fluffy, white dog, Sammie.
Streisand’s intimate Sept. 26 show for just 123 fans is the hottest ticket in town because it’s the first time she’s performed in a jazz club since 1961.
Smart boasted on her blog on Tuesday how Dina was “the proud winner” and how she “was awarded round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations, and two tickets to attend Barbra Streisand’s concert.”
The superstar’s Web site and Facebook page were soon deluged with complaints from furious fans desperate for a ticket. One, Theresa, fumed on Facebook, “It was nothing but a scam!”
Smart told Page Six yesterday, “I have nothing to say to you,” before slamming down the phone.
“Barbra does know Marilyn Smart,” her publicist, Dick Guttman, said. “Barbra did not participate in the selection because she has been away on a boat in Europe. She knows nothing about this.
“This was an inappropriate selection and arrangements are being made to rectify the situation. The tickets will be given to the next runner-up,” Guttman said.
A spokesman from Columbia Records added, “This is a complete accident which I cannot quite believe happened.
“We had no idea that the winner was Sammy’s breeder until it was pointed out to us by fans. Barbra had absolutely nothing to do with this.” May the best dog win.