Drew Barrymore admits people have ‘warned’ her to ‘back off’ with touchiness during interviews

Drew Barrymore admitted she’s been warned to keep her hands to herself during interviews on her eponymous talk show.

The “Charlie’s Angels” actress, 49, made the admission while chatting with Cynthia Erivo, 37, about the “Wicked” star’s touchy-feely ways with co-star Ariana Grande on Tuesday’s episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show.”

“Is it true that she is as touchy?” Barrymore asked Erivo about the pop star before discussing her own habits.

Drew Barrymore on Tuesday's episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show."
Drew Barrymore admitted that she has been warned not to touch her talk show guests on Tuesday’s episode of her eponymous show.Drew Barrymore Show/YouTube
Drew Barrymore and Cynthia Erivo on Tuesday's episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show."
Barrymore brought up the subject while interviewing Cynthia Erivo on her wicked co-star Ariana Grande’s own habit of touching.The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean

“I’m so touchy!” Barrymore confessed. “People have to warn me. They’re like, ‘Back off a little bit.’ I’m like, ‘Why?’”

Barrymore has made headlines for being too affectionate with her talk show guests, including Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey.

During Tuesday’s episode, Erivo explained that she is now “used to” Grande’s constant physical touch.

Drew Barrymore and Cynthia Erivo on Tuesday's episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show."
“Is it true that she is as touchy?” Barrymore asked Erivo.The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean
Drew Barrymore and Cynthia Erivo on Tuesday's episode of "The Drew Barrymore Show."
Barrymore called herself “so touchy.”The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean

“If it’s not, like, connected, I’m like, ‘What’s wrong? What’s happening? Where are you?’” Erivo admitted. “We walk hand in hand very often. Like, if we’re not walking hand in hand, we’ll find each other somewhere.”

Ervivo believes that people are often afraid of physical connection.

“I think we assume that physical connection can only be romantic,” she said, to which Barrymore agreed.

Drew Barrymore hugging Jada Pinkett Smith on "The Drew Barrymore Show."
Barrymore, seen here hugging Jada Pinkett Smith on her show, said “people have to warn” her.The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean
Drew Barrymore and Paris Hilton hugging on "The Drew Barrymore Show."
The actress, seen here hugging Paris Hilton on her show, said, “They’re like, ‘Back off a little bit.’ I’m like, ‘Why?’”The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean

Erivo also detailed the different ways that Grande turns to touch to communicate with her.

“Sometimes you can’t say anything and you’re in a room and you’re like, it’s just a squeeze of a hand. And that sometimes is how she and I communicate,” she said. “We might be talking to someone, or I might need to communicate something to her and it’s just a squeeze of a hand or a pinch of the finger. Or a hug.”

Ervio then defended Grande, 31, for her prevalent pawing, saying that’s what works for their relationship.

Drew Barrymore and Oprah Winfrey holding hands on "The Drew Barrymore Show."
Barrymore was famously criticized for touching Oprah Winfrey throughout her interview.Oprah Daily
Martha Stewart pushing Drew Barrymore away on "The Drew Barrymore Show."
She also made headlines when Martha Stewart had to push her away during an interview.The Drew Barrymore Show
Drew Barrymore and Ariana Grande holding hands on "The Drew Barrymore Show."
Grande happily held hands with Barrymore during her appearance on the show last week.The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean

“However we need to communicate is how we need to communicate,” Erivo said. “And I think we don’t give enough credit to how we need to communicate with our friends physically.”

Barrymore agreed, suggesting that she would like to see a world in which people “could all be more comfortable with physical touch.”

The former child star didn’t hold back from making contact with Erivo during their chat and welcomed her with a big hug.

“I was just hugging you just now and I thought, ‘I am so lucky to embrace and actually physically be near someone who is breaking records,’” Barrymore told the actress, referring to how the Universal Studios movie has become the highest grossing film based on a Broadway musical.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo  holding hands in October.
Erivo, seen here in October with her co-star, said that Grande’s form of communication with her is through physical touch.Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in an interview.
“If it’s not, like, connected, I’m like, ‘What’s wrong? What’s happening? Where are you?’” Erivo admitted of the pop star.Gay Times/YouTube

What do you think? Post a comment.

Erivo responded enthusiastically by grabbing Barrymore’s hand.

The “7 Rings” singer’s handsy interactions with Erivo during the promotion of their musical film have inspired a slew of memes and parodies across the internet.

In the film, which premiered on Nov. 22, Erivo portrays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, while Grande plays Glinda, the Good Witch.

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