Drew Barrymore Addresses Viral Martha Stewart Interview

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Maggie Ekberg is a Newsweek writer based in Tampa, FL. Her focus is reporting on celebrity news, viral moments, and internet culture. She has in-depth knowledge of entertainment media and how online conversations shape the industry, covering everything from Hollywood A-listers to trending pop culture moments. Maggie joined Newsweek in 2024, having previously contributed to Us Weekly, Sports Illustrated, and more. She is a graduate of St. Petersburg College. You can get in touch with Maggie by emailing m.ekberg@newsweek.com. Languages: English.

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With cameras rolling and the internet watching, awkward moments in Hollywood don't just happen — they go viral. The latest? Drew Barrymore getting pushed away by Martha Stewart on live TV. Now, the 49-year-old Scream icon is setting the record straight.

"I think she was just teasing," Barrymore said on the Wednesday, February 5, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. "I think the internet just misunderstood the moment and ran with it."

Drew Barrymore arrives to "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on January 28, 2025 in New York City. Aeon/GC Images

For those who missed it, the exchange happened while the 83-year-old lifestyle guru was discussing how she likes to be treated in relationships during a November 2024 interview on The Drew Barrymore Show. As Barrymore stroked her arm, Stewart batted her hand away and said, "You're the wrong gender." The Charlie's Angels actress laughed it off at the time, but social media had a lot to say about it.

"This is extremely predatory, if a man did this it would be an uproar," one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter) at the time.

"Drew is very overriding with all her touchy feely stuff," another pointed out.

"Martha has served some time in prison so naturally she went into yard brawl mode with Drew up in her space like that lol," chimed in a third.

"Personally, I find her interview style weird as hell honestly but hey," someone else noted.

"WTF keep your hands off, creepy, never liked her," added another.

Not everyone saw it that way, though.

"Come on people, I think Martha was in on it. They're playing 😔," one person wrote.

"It was a joke," another stated.

"Martha is as cuddly as a cactus 😅," quipped someone else.

As for Barrymore? She's confident there's no hard feelings.

"I've never been able to say this before with confidence, but I can now — I think Martha really does like me," the Golden Globe winner told WWHL host Cohen. "When I was first getting to know her, I was like, 'I don't think she likes me.' But I think I broke through and I finally like... she doesn't dislike me."

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