Drew Barrymore Addresses Awkward Moment She Got Too Touchy with Martha Stewart on Her Show

Mar. 15, 2025

Drew Barrymore (left); Martha Stewart (right).Photo:Steven Ferdman/Getty; Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty

Drew Barrymore; Martha Stewart

Steven Ferdman/Getty; Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty

Drew Barrymoreis not as worried as the internet appears to be when it comes to her friendship withMartha Stewart.

Now, Barrymore, 49, is clearing the air on the buzzy moment. “I think she was just teasing,” she said of Stewart, 83, whenAndy Cohenasked onWatch What Happens Liveon Feb. 5. “I’ve never been able to say this before with confidence, but I can now — I think Martha really does like me.”

Barrymore said she felt like the “internet just misunderstood the moment and ran with it,” but that in reality, there’s no deep-seated tension.

“When I first was getting to know her, I was like, I don’t think she likes me. But I think I broke through,” Barrymore said, once again confirming, “She doesn’t dislike me.”

Martha Stewart on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ on Nov. 12, 2024.The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean

Martha on Her Grandchildren Watching Her New Documentary & Dating Idle Men The Drew Barrymore Show

The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean

The mom of two told Cohen, 56, andWWHLguestNate Burlesonthat she “can’t actually control” her tendency to get close to her guests when they join her on the couch — despite the fact that she’s been warned off it.

“I got focus-grouped when we launched and it was not good. It was awful,” she said.

She talked about how “touchy” she is during a December episode of her show, too, as she welcomedWickedstarCynthia Erivo.

“I’m so touchy,” Barrymore said. “People have to warn me, they’re like, ‘Back off a little bit.’ And I’m like, ‘Why?'”

Martha Stewart on The Drew Barrymore Show on Dec. 8, 2023.The Drew Barrymore Show/Ash Bean

Martha Stewart on The Drew Barrymore Show

Attempting to describe her reasoning behind it, she said, “Because physical connection — you know, I’m single, I’m not dating anyone… I don’t have that in my life but I don’t know how I would ever hold back from holding hands, hugging, snuggling.”

“I think we get a bit afraid of physical connection. I think we assume that physical connection can only be romantic,” Erivo, 37, said.

That resonated with Barrymore, whoshares daughters Olive and Frankiewith ex-husbandWill Kopelman. “In fact, I think when there is a romantic connection, I’m far more timid,” she admitted.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Drew Barrymore Showairs weekdays on CBS (check local listings).

source: people.com