Only two individuals value physical touch as much as Drew Barrymore does, and they are Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, stars of the musical Wicked.
The actresses have gained widespread attention multiple times for their affectionate behavior towards each other during interviews while on their press tour for the film. During a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Erivo was asked by the popular talk show host about this viral interaction.
Barrymore inquired, “Is it true that she is as touchy? I’m so touchy! People have to warn me. They’re like, ‘Back off a little bit.’ I’m like, ‘Why?’” Erivo responded by affirming their close connection, stating, “Yes! We’re always connected. I’m the welcoming Capricorn that’s like, ‘I love you. You can touch.’”
According to Erivo, she’s gotten “used to” Grande touching her at all times.
Erivo further explained, “If it’s not, like, connected, I’m like, ‘What’s wrong? What’s happening? Where are you?’ We walk hand in hand very often. Like, if we’re not walking hand in hand, we’ll find each other somewhere.”
Erivo added, “I think we get a bit afraid of physical connection. I think we assume that physical connection can only be romantic,” while Barrymore — who is notoriously touchy with her guests on The Drew Barrymore Show — agreed, noting that she’s “far more timid” when there actually is a romantic connection.
Erivo then explained that she and Grande communicate through physical touch.
“Sometimes you can’t say anything and you’re in a room and you’re like, it’s just a squeeze of a hand. And that sometimes is how she and I communicate,” she said. “We might be talking to someone, or I might need to communicate something to her and it’s just a squeeze of a hand or a pinch of the finger. Or a hug.”
“However we need to communicate is how we need to communicate,” she continued. “And I think we don’t give enough credit to how we need to communicate with our friends physically.”
Barrymore concluded that she would “like” a world where “we could all be more comfortable with physical touch.”
The Drew Barrymore Show airs on weekdays on CBS. You can check the website for local airtimes.
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