Start the new year on a bright note with the iconic actress and talk show host; she is sharing her thoughts on everything from kindness to honest parenting to realistic self-care.
It’s easy to think of Drew Barrymore as a longtime friend, and not just because so many of us have been seeing her on the big screen for nearly four decades, in iconic movies like E.T., Never Been Kissed, Charlie’s Angels, and more. What makes her feel like such a close friend is the qualities she brings to everything she has done, from her superstar roles to her beauty brand, Flower Beauty. Whatever happens, Drew always radiates a rare combination of timeless warmth, positivity, humor, and realism.
For Drew, those traits are a vital part of staying healthy and well. “I really like being silly. I really can’t stop, ”he admits. “I think your body chemistry changes when you laugh. I respect laughter, it’s medicine. ”This belief was paramount when she created The Drew Barrymore Show, her daytime talk show that premiered last fall on CBS. The 45-year-old’s goal was to combine news and stories of interest. human in an honest and uplifting way.
Another fundamental belief that Drew lives by that kindness and mutual care is the way to go, especially after the tumultuous year we’ve just experienced. And that’s exactly why Health cast Drew to be on the cover of our first trade-in issue. Whether he wants to make a change in the world or in his personal life, Drew’s idea of leading with kindness is inspiring.
What made you want to create The Drew Barrymore Show?
I love comedy and celebrating people. I also like the news and human interest. I don’t care if he’s naive, but I can’t try to find the good in people. Health, wellness, interior design, beauty – I can cover all these different facets of the things that I have been involved in. It’s more about spending time in my life; it is about the pillars of life that concern us all.
What do you try to bring to the screen each time you film?
I keep trying to find the moment and be myself. I know authentic is an overused word, but I just want to be sincere, honest, honest, and mindful, being myself, because I don’t know who else to be. I would just be lost. We are what we have to trust, which is terrifying. But what is the alternative?
Let’s talk about Flower Beauty. You launched it in 2013 and appear to be very hands-on with the business—is that accurate?
Yes! I’m in the labs. I’m very interested in packaging, formulation, marketing, all of that. We started in a very MacGyver way, with a small team. And we have really grown. We are in the best place we’ve ever been to. And that took years to find out. The formulas have been the main thing. A woman can’t have a lipstick that frays on her lips and she needs eyeliner that stays on. And it’s not expensive, because I don’t like expensive things, I don’t want to buy them and I don’t want to sell them.
Beyond beauty, you have quite a few other business ventures.
Yes, home, children, glasses, beauty, and now hair. Over the course of almost 10 years, doing that carefully is a lot. We have this crazy kitchen line called Beautiful. I am so crazy about the direction. It is not what I would have expected of myself. I like to do things. I can not stop.
This Health issue focuses on change—what does that word mean to you?
Change is everything. It is so vital. Everything is always changing, but there are also fundamentals. I think 2020 made us rethink our fundamental whole. It is difficult to predict where our country will be, what will be representative of our morale. The only thing we have control over is ourselves, and that is not selfish or forgiving. You only have control over how you care for people. And I think that’s the meaning of life. We are here to take care of each other.
Do you think the events that took place in 2020 will lead to or inspire change?
No life escapes trauma and the human experience is very complex, but I love the revelation that 2020 brought. You thought you understood, but there is something in 2020 that basically [feels like] a rebirth. That is such a powerful thing. That’s all I keep thinking about: He’s back again. That is change.
His daughters are 8 and 6 years old. With so much happening in the world, from COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter and elections, how did you address those issues with them?
I am extremely honest and I try to be honest in a way that doesn’t scare you off. What I don’t want to do is take away my children’s sense of security, that is, I am stealing something from them by keeping them informed. But they are very knowledgeable. They know exactly who is doing what and what is happening, and they are incredibly in tune with our world. We are just going to find a way to be totally worldly, mindful, aware, crafty, super-empowered with all the information; my greatest art is to do it without instilling fear. They march in marches and tour our building to get people to vote.
Are you strict with television and media?
They watch some TikTok. I have a rule of not having the news out loud around them, but their school tells them about it. And they know it. And I get happy. I want to keep them as children as long as possible, and that is why I am very protective of putting them in the world. That is where I am a complete Doberman. I’d rather have my children know more about the world than showing it to the world.
Switching gears, you post a lot about wellness on social media. What’s one wellness practice you haven’t mastered yet?
I have never had balance; I think balance is an elusive bitch that has evaded me all my life. I’m ready to throw her on the ground and have a fight with an old-fashioned girl who pulls her hair out with her. I am the most devastating pendulum of the extremes, without a beautiful medium.
Have you started to win that fight?
I have her immobilized right now. You feel better than usual. [The past year] has been, in many ways, a really healthy year for me, ironically, considering everything that is happening. I exercise and I had already gained the weight everyone was talking about; he had been doing it all the previous years.
You’ve been very candid on Instagram about feeling like you needed to get in better shape. How are you feeling about where you are now?
Okay. I am not a straight arrow, so I will never be one thing: eat the perfect food and exercise every day. I will never be that person. Between my children and work, I have no time in life. But I realized that if I am more consistent about it and take the time to do so, it leads to a better life. Before, it was all exercise or nothing. And that really didn’t suit me. I had to prioritize it, but I’ll tell you it’s like third on my list. It should probably be the first, but it’s like kids and work are probably rivals. But I’m glad about that because years ago exercising was number 24 on the list. Actually, my health is fourth on the list, my friendships are third. But hey, it’s in the top five, so that’s good.
What do your friends mean to you?
My girlfriends were my first family. My friends are really gardens and I cultivate them. I’ve been friends with all my friends, like 20, 30, 40 years. I just want to be with my real friends, and it’s a lot of fun, but it’s fucking real, my relationships with my friends. Friendship is not frivolous; It is important.
Looking at your life, what are you most proud of?
If I can put it in a way that’s not self-congratulatory, I’m glad I’m still working. I have the privilege of working and working as hard as I can to maintain that privilege. In my personal life, they are my children, they are my first priority with everything. It is very difficult being a parent and I just want to take the best care of them that I can. Those two girls are the best thing I’ll ever do with my life.
