My Weekend Crush

I believe we have reached the age of the Drew Barrymore Renaissance. If you are a person in my Gen X age bracket, then you basically grew up alongside Drew Barrymore. She was in commercials before she was out of diapers, and by the ripe old ages of 5 already in the pictures (thanks to her debut in “Altered States”) and then by the decrepit age of 7 she was a bona fide movie star (hello, “E.T.”). Now, some may call her one of the O.G. nepo babies (I mean, that Barrymore name). But a family business is a family business. What Drew really stands for is the incredible perseverance and power it takes to overcome everyone’s worst assumptions in a dehumanizing system that sees beautiful, talented young women as nothing more than commodities.

And, if we didn’t all live through it with her, you’d hardly think her feat possible. The way Hollywood chews up and spits out its stars. The way Drew went from childhood darling to teenage Lolita to twentysomething wild thing to thirtysomething rom-com queen is a testament to her staying power, sure. But also an indictment of the boxes we shove young women into. The whiplash-inducing characterization of Drew from adorable child sprite to “hide your fully grown men, here comes a slutty teenager” was stunning in the worst way. Honestly, dissertations could — and should — be written about it.

But now, here Drew is in her late 40s beaming into people’s living rooms every afternoon as her daytime talk show continues to grow in popularity because, let’s face it, she’s wildly charismatic, likable and — most important of all — real. How can she not be, we’ve all watched her grow up. We’ve all watched her make mistakes. We’ve all watched her be herself. And, best of all, we’ve all watched her endure, survive and — thankfully — thrive. Honestly, Drew should have “The Tonight Show” or a “Late Show” or any of the other prestige talk show slots instead of daytime (not that there’s anything wrong with daytime, but we all know the menfolk think it’s below them). Like will her career ever escape sexism? Will we all? Sigh, forever.

And, on a shallow note, omfg do I love her long hair, drapey suit looks of late. Respectfully, of course. Anyway, cast more middle-aged women in things because we are fucking amazing and have no more fucks to give.

Like here is Drew experiencing her first hot flash, on air.

And here is Drew talking about alcoholism with Melanie Lynskey and husband Jason Ritter (which, what an extraordinarily honest moment for everyone involved).

On her show, we’ve seen Drew talk about her addictions, talk about her past, talk about her perimenopause, talk about feeling worthy of someone else’s love and not just the “bad girl” everyone made her out to be. It’s wonderful to see someone express their authentic self, and it’s a gift to let the world into that journey as well. I hope for nothing but the best for Drew going forward. I can’t wait to watch her little sideways way of talking until we’re all gray and wrinkly together. I hope Hollywood stops grinding young women down to almost nothing for its own enjoyment. But I know not to hold my breath. So just be kind to yourself, we’re all just works in progress — no matter what the world says about us. Happy weekend, all.