Yesterday at work I met one of my all-time favorite actresses, someone who I’ve grown up with, Drew Barrymore. I watched her from the classic, “ET”, to “Riding in Cars with Boys”, to “Almost Famous”, to all of her work with Adam Sandler. I love everything she does. I work at a music venue/bar and her niece’s band was having a private event to showcase their music.
She walked in with dirty converses and wavy hair and the smile and charm that makes her so lovable onscreen. It was obvious from the moment that she walked in that she was just as genuine as all of the characters she plays (think Lucy from “50 First Dates”). She was extremely approachable. I was the cocktail waitress, so I went over to take her drink order. She beamed at me, graciously thanking me, and asked for a mimosa, handing me a card for her tab. I asked her which musician was her niece and she pointed her out along with another little one of hers running around the venue with bright blond hair.
I delivered Drew her drink and then went on serving others. Time passed as we all got lost in the artistry of these young kids jamming-out on stage. A woman came up to me asking me to put Drew’s drink on her tab, a family member, I agreed and went to give Drew back her card and see how she was doing on her drink. At that point, I knew I had to say something. I didn’t want to be that annoying girl bugging her while she was with her family. I just wanted her to know how much I respected her and how much she has inspired without actually saying it in so many words.
I decided on “I just needed to tell you, I really enjoyed your book”. Drew immediately grabbed my right hand and kissed it! Drew Barrymore kissed my hand! It was such an open and vulnerable action, but it seemed so natural and instinctual for her that it didn’t even shock me. I felt extremely comfortable. She then held both my hands squeezing gently without a definite rhythm or pattern and she told me how that statement meant so much to her. She went on to talk about how personal the book and the journey of writing it was to her. Then we shared thoughts on the struggles of writing and how you just have to sit down and do it! I connected to Drew Barrymore on a personal level and it didn’t even feel strange or surreal. I already had felt a personal connection with her while I was reading her book, not just because of the similarities in our art and work ethic, but because she grew up in a non-traditional household like I did. Also, we both had similar relationships with our mothers.
Meeting one of my childhood heroes and all-time favorite artists, was something I did not expect going into work that day. It was unbelievably inspiring to hear from her mouth that this whole ‘being an artist’ thing is a tough thing to do, but you just have to keep doing it. I aspire to always keep myself grounded and my heart in the right place no matter what happens in my career. I aspire to be like Drew, down-to-earth, and always kind.
If you haven’t read “Wildflower” by. Drew Barrymore yet- do it! She touches on different times and aspects of her life. The writing is so conversational and genuine. Genuine is the absolute perfect word to describe both her as a person, and her work.
Selfish Love Letters 