Barbra Streisand admits she didn't fall in love with James Brolin instantly.

The 72-year-old singer, who has been married to the 74-year-old actor for 16 years, admits it took her ''a couple of months'' to realise how special he was after they met at a dinner party.

Asked when she knew he was ''the one'' for her, she said: ''It took me a couple of months.''

But the legendary performer believes she captured James' heart immediately because she told him she didn't like his hair.

She said: ''Most people don't tell the truth, they are afraid of the truth, but I like the truth. You don't have to think about what you said before, it's just the truth.''

Barbra brushed off recent rumours their marriage was on the rocks and asked if they're ''still holding hands'' after all of these years, she told 'The Meredith Vieira Show': ''Yes we are. No matter what you read in those silly things.''

But she admits she wishes James could cook.

She said: ''He charmed me when he was courting me. He told me he could cook and since I can't I thought, wow, this is a catch. So he came with a sushi roller, that wooden thing and made sushi and I love sushi. So, I thought, 'This is really great.' He has never cooked again.''