Drew Barrymore Insists Oprah Loved Their Touchy-Feeling Talk
Drew Barrymore kicked off the fifth season of her eponymous talk show on Monday by confronting head-on her controversial hands-on approach to interviewing. The star, who was criticized for caressing Oprah Winfrey during a 2023 appearance on the program, said the television legend did not mind Barrymore getting up close and personal.
“[Winfrey] said, like, ‘I wish Stedman would touch me like that,’” Barrymore revealed, referring to Winfrey’s longterm partner. “She was so nice about it. And if a guest starts telling me that [they’re bothered], I will back off,” she told the audience, a claim then confirmed by Gayle King, Winfrey’s best friend, who appeared on the season premiere.
Social media users called Barrymore “cringe” and “creepy” after the actress cupped Winfrey’s hand and held it under her chin while stroking her arm, and at one point placed her hand on the media mogul's leg during their on-air conversation. Despite internet speculation Winfrey described Barrymore’s petting as “endearing.”