Jason Gould Reveals How He Found Confidence In His Own Voice Beyond Mom Barbra Streisand’s Shadow

Jason Gould, son of legendary vocalist Barbra Streisand and actor Elliott Gould, has forged his own path in the music industry, overcoming insecurities and finding his voice as a singer-songwriter.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE for this week’s issue, Jason, 57, delved into his journey of self-discovery and artistic expression. He spoke candidly about reclaiming his identity and pursuing his passion for music, culminating in the recent release of his Sacred Days EP.

“I sort of reclaimed my voice — and not just as a singer, but as a human being,” Jason shared, reflecting on his personal growth and artistic evolution.

Jason credits therapeutic and spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer, therapy, and 12-step meetings, for helping him tap into his creative potential. These experiences taught him the importance of reclaiming parts of himself that he had pushed away or forgotten, particularly during childhood.

“I’ve always been a seeker, and I’ve been on my own spiritual journey, which included meditation and prayer…I learned a lot in those programs about reclaiming those parts of ourselves. Particularly, as children, maybe we pushed away or forgot about,” the singer shared. 

Despite being apprehensive about pursuing music due to his mother’s iconic status, Jason embarked on a journey of self-discovery, eventually finding solace in songwriting and creating music. He recalled the pivotal moment when he shared his first recording with Streisand in 2012, a milestone that marked the beginning of his musical endeavors.

“To be able to express that part of myself was my goal really,” the World Gone Crazy singer expressed, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-expression in his artistic endeavors.

While Jason has focused on music in recent years, he describes himself as an “oddball” who feels a need to create but not necessarily to perform. He prioritizes authenticity and personal fulfillment over conforming to industry expectations, choosing to honor what feels right for him.

According to him, he does not get a “thrill” from performing like other singers do. 

“I’ve heard people say, ‘Oh, I feel the most alive when I’m on stage.’ I’m not that guy. At the end of the day, I have to be true to myself and honor what feels right for me, because, otherwise, it wouldn’t bring me pleasure. And if it’s not going to be pleasurable for me, then I don’t think it would be good to experience or watch,” he stated.

Despite his reluctance to tour or perform extensively, Jason cherishes the memories of sharing the stage with Barbra during her 2012 worldwide tour. He values these experiences for the opportunity to connect with his mother through music, regardless of the audience size.

In his words, “It wasn’t about me. I was just showing up to be of service and be the vessel of this music, and be there with her and have that moment with her,” the recording artist shares. “It was a very private moment — it just happened to be in front of 18,000 people.”

As he continues to grow as an artist, Jason hopes that his music brings listeners a moment of peace and reflection.