Drew Barrymore – Twelve Years Ago

July 2012 By Philip Berk

In her new movie Music and Lyrics,  Hugh Grant plays a washed up 80s pop star who gets a chance at a comeback when a reigning pop idol (modeled on Christina Aguilera) invites him to write and record a duet with him. The only trouble is he needs a lyricist so step in a beguiling plant lady (played by Drew Barrymore) and before you can say VH1 they have come up with a hit.

At her press conference an equally  beguiling Drew Barrymore proves that despite her limited education (did she ever finish high school?) she’s not just articulate, she’s smart and well informed.

Q: Who were your favorite bands of the 80’s?

A: “If only I had met any member of Duran Duran they would have understood I was supposed to be their wife,” she jokes. “I was so young, but I was absolutely in love with them. I love pop. Prince, Madonna, But I was also really into Violent Femmes, Joy Davison, New Order, and I really loved Cyndi Lauper.”

Q: Did you ever get to meet any of them?

A: “I loved meeting Madonna. I met George Michael, Boy George, and yes, Cyndi Lauper.”

Q: How about Simon Le Bon?

A: When I was older.

Q: That must have been a painful time for you. How do you look back at it?

A: I’m very grateful for everything. I’m happy my life was the way it was because I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t so good.”

Q: Nothing you would change?

A: “I wouldn’t do anything different. I wouldn’t want to go back. I just want to go forward. I wouldn’t want to relive the terrors of school. I wouldn’t want to make the same mistakes in relationships. I wouldn’t want to be a kid again and deal with family. I’m so happy to be an adult and to turn the key of my door and know I’m a business owner and have dogs and friends and responsibilities and a life and freedom. As I get older I care about philanthropic things. I’m happy for every year that keeps coming.”

Q: We haven’t seen you on the screen at least a year. Was that your choice to work less or are you devoting more time to being a producer?

A: I was doing two or three films a year and producing as well and that proved too much. I sort of wanted to pace myself, but I have a Curtis Hanson film Lucky You coming out soon after this film.

Q: Do you enjoy not working as much as you enjoy keeping busy?

A: Even if I’m not working I’m always doing something. I’m always in meetings at the office (her company is called Flower). I might be doing re-shoots or photo shoots. There’s never a time where I have three weeks free. I went to Africa. I’ve started working with he World Food program. I’m always stimulating my mind. But I am realizing I need to stop and smell the roses and spend more time with the people I love.

Q: Does she still have her three dogs?

A: Yeah, Flossie, Vivien, and Templeton.

Q:  By people you love, that includes girlfriends. Tell us what they mean to you?

A: They are really my family. I love going on trips with them. I love going to dinner with them. I love my friends so much because they give me such stability and strength.

Q: You are still involved with your boyfriend so tell us, what is romance for you?

A: Attitude is everything. I think that love and luck and life is dependent on your attitude, your outlook. I’m a total romantic. I love positivity. I could never be with someone who was totally cynical. It would beat me down, and I would scream and  run for the hills.

Q: What do you do when you get stuck, when you feel you’re not moving forward?

A: I think that happened when I turned thirty. I was really confused. I thought this whole thing was supposed to unveil itself. I was supposed to change. So thirty was a tough year for me because nothing felt different. I was halfway through my thirties and I thought I don’t feel any different. I don’t want my thirties to be a carbon copy of my twenties. How do I make it different?  But like everything else in life, it’s just not going to happen. You have to make it happen. It doesn’t just fall into your lap.

(She’s all of 32 now!)

Q: You had no problem naming your favorite artists of the 80s. How about today’s music. Who do you have on your iPod? and haven’t you dated a few musicians yourself?

A: I did date two musicians in 32 years, so I am not sure I am a big groupie. But yes, I am drawn to the rock and roll scene for sure. I love  music. There’s a great album out last year called Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. It’s phenomenal. Muse also put out an incredible album. There are obscure bands like Superstar and Adam Green. I love Lily Allen. There’s such great music always coming out of Britain. I love pop music, and I love listening  to a certain type of music when I’m in the gym. I need that fun, poppy motivation. It can come from a band like The Killers which is more alternative or from Kelly Clarkson, ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ and you’re like, I am woman, hear me roar! So I sort of love everything. If you love alternative you’re made to feel bad for enjoying pop music, like it’s not cool. If you like pop music it doesn’t seem like alternative is anywhere in the mix. I think everything goes. I love listening to Willie Nelson as much as I love listening to Rage Against the Machine. I love girl music. I love Madonna’s Hung Up. I like shaking my butt on the dance floor to a song like that as much as I love weeping to a Billie Holliday song. That’s what I put on for dinner music. I really love music. I’ve always collected it.

Q: Let’s talk fashion and jewelry. Your choices today are rather bold. Is there a personality you are  trying to project?

A: I would never dress in a way that didn’t feel true to myself, but you can play characters . I mean I’m an actor. I might dress in long braids and scarves like an old hippie. It’s all about the character you want to play. But I would never dress for other people. If you do, you’ll find yourself very lost.

Finally the mother question. 

Q. Would you like to have a baby someday?

A: I know I’d be a great mother. It’s just a matter of when. I’ve never done it. It’s something I’ve always taken seriously  I wouldn’t want to be capricious about it. It’s too important.
(At the press conference Drew wore an Alberta Ferretti blouse, Oscar De La Renta skirt, Jimmy Choo shoes. Her necklace was Oscar De La Renta, and her bracelets Stella McCartney, her ring Stephen Dweck)