Talk show host Drew Barrymore has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after viewers accused her of invading the personal space of Hollywood icon Michelle Pfeiffer during a recent interview. The awkward interaction, which has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times online, has reignited discussions about professional boundaries on television.
The Viral Moment That Sparked Outrage
The incident occurred this week when Michelle Pfeiffer, 67, appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show alongside her co-star Denis Leary to promote their new film, Oh. What. Fun. During the conversation, a clip captured Barrymore, 50, sitting mere centimetres from Pfeiffer on a white couch. As the Scarface actress spoke about her Thanksgiving celebrations, Barrymore was seen placing her hands on Pfeiffer's leg and back.
The footage was shared by a popular account on X, formerly Twitter, which theorised that Pfeiffer appeared to be 'leaning away' from Barrymore in a clear sign of discomfort. The post quickly went viral, amassing over 540,000 views and triggering a wave of severe criticism directed at the host.
Viewers React: 'Drew Crossed the Line'
The online reaction was swift and largely critical of Barrymore's conduct. The caption on the viral post asked, 'Is it me, or does it seem like Michelle is leaning away from Drew because her personal space is being invaded?' This sentiment was echoed by numerous users in the comments.
'Sitting that close to her is weird,' agreed one viewer. Another stated bluntly, 'Yeah, [that's a] little too close, I don't care who you are.' Other comments were more pointed, with one person joking, 'Any closer and her personal lap would be invaded,' and a fourth asserting, 'Drew needs a lesson on boundaries.'
Many highlighted Pfeiffer's known preference for privacy. 'Michelle is a private person. Drew crossed the line. Too close,' scathed one observer. The criticism grew more forceful elsewhere, with another user writing, 'Hey Drew Barrymore, why the f**k are you always in people's faces you don't know what personal space is.'
A Pattern of Behaviour for the Talk Show Host
This is not the first time Barrymore's physically demonstrative interview style has made headlines. She has built a reputation for being extremely hands-on with her guests, a trait that has previously caused controversy.
In March of this year, viewers branded her as 'clingy' following an interview with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. They claimed Barrymore 'didn't respect' Meghan's boundaries after she touched her arm multiple times, despite a warning at the segment's beginning where Barrymore admitted, 'I feel like once I'm with someone I like to connect.'
The pattern extends further back. In November 2023, lifestyle guru Martha Stewart was seen awkwardly pushing Barrymore away mid-interview after the host began stroking her shoulder. Barrymore also faced scrutiny for caressing Oprah Winfrey's arm during a sit-down conversation.
Interestingly, Barrymore has openly addressed her tactile nature. In December 2024, she confessed that she is 'so touchy' that some guests have told her to 'back off.' She revealed she has been consciously working on her 'proximity' and the 'physical distance' she keeps from interviewees.
'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,' she explained. She added, 'I think if we could all be more comfortable with physical touch, I would like that world.'
However, the backlash from the Pfeiffer interview suggests that for many viewers and guests, particularly those who are more reserved, Barrymore's philosophy on touch clashes with conventional expectations of personal space in a professional setting.
