Drew Barrymore Reacts To Criticism Over Touchiness With Show Guests

Drew agreed while revealing how her relationship status adds to her feelings about the topic.

"That’s how I want life to be,"the 49-year-old noted. "Because physical connection… 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."

The duo then embarked on a conversation pondering why physical touching can often be such a divisive topic.

“I think we get a bit afraid of physical connection," Cynthia posited. "I think we assume that physical connection can only be romantic."

And, in some cases—like her friendship with Ariana—something as small as the "7 Rings" singer's viral finger hold can be exactly what's needed between friends.

"Sometimes you can't say anything and you're in a room and…it's just a squeeze of the hand," the Harriet actress explained. "And that's sometimes how [Ariana] and I communicate, we might be talking to someone, or I might need to communicate something to her and it's just a squeeze of the hand or just a pinch of a finger or a hug."

It's a sentiment that Drew wholeheartedly agreed with, telling her, "I think if we could all be more comfortable with physical touch, I would like that world."

Cynthia isn't the only celebrity to defend Drew's proclivity for creating physical intimacy with her talk show guests, either.

Oprah Winfrey said that she was "not uncomfortable at all" when Drew controversially stroked the daytime TV legend's arm during a Dec. 2023 interview.

"I've never seen her do that, but I thought it was endearing," she told TMZ after the interview went viral. "I was actually comforted by the stroking of the arm."

"I thought it was really great," she added. "Drew is terrific, and I love that she is always herself."