Drew Barrymore has never heard of personal space — according to some fans on social media.
The 48-year-old “Mad Love” alum is facing criticism after holding onto Oprah Winfrey’s hand for dear life in a cringy clip making its way around the internet.
Winfrey, 69, appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show” on Monday where the legendary talk show host praised Barrymore for starting her daytime talk show during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was not allowed to film with a live audience.
But as they talked, Barrymore, who often cozies up to her guests or touches them throughout her interviews, tightly held Winfrey’s hand close to her chin with no intention of letting go.
“Something that I learned about you, because I didn’t know this detail, was that you would spend time with the audience outside of the show you were filming,” Barrymore said to Winfrey, who confirmed her knowledge, deeming crowd interaction “necessary.”
“My crew used to be like, ‘Oh my God, how much time you should go spend talking to that audience?” the billionaire elaborated as Barrymore still clutched onto her hand.
The “Miss You Already” star eventually became physically ecstatic that Winfrey agreed with her and let go of her hand — only to keep caressing her arm.
Winfrey continued, “That’s why this is so hard to do without an audience, and I was complimenting you on the fact that you got through it without an audience because it’s almost — because you’re not getting their energy. It’s their energy. It’s their feedback. It’s understanding whether whatever you’re saying is connecting.
“Look at lady in red. See? she’s nodding,” Winfrey pointed out an audience member. “She’s like the Amen choir. So to do it, without anybody, applause to you,” she said, this time offering both her hands to squeeze Barrymore’s in celebration.
But the touchy-feely interaction didn’t feel right to some people on social media.
“Oprah’s body language was so clear she wanted her hand back,” one viewer proclaimed in the comments on the talk show’s Instagram account.
“Drew, everyone doesn’t want their hands held boo,” another chimed in.
A third wrote, “The hand hold and the arm being caressed is past my boundary.”
“She’s really creeping me out now. It’s just too weird,” someone else said.
“Oprah’s body language says it all. Drew is holding on too much. Oprah is trying to release her hand from Drew’s grip. Drew is just too creepy and needy,” another agreed.
“Weirdest talk show ever… first kneeling in front of Dylan Mulvaney, and now this… just weird,” another viewer referencing Barrymore catching flak for the way she interacted with the trans influencer on her show.
The Post has contacted reps for Barrymore and Winfrey for comment.
In April, Barrymore was jokingly strapped down to her chair in preparation for interview with former first lady Michelle Obama.
“I know that I get too close to people and I’m too much,” Barrymore told the audience, saying she’s “in on the joke.”
“But what do you expect with the guest we have coming out? I mean, who wouldn’t want to, like, be close to them?” she asked.
Source link
