Drew Barrymore has no regrets about her teen years, even though they included some tough times in a rehab facility.
Talking to Mae Martin on The Drew Barrymore Show on Friday, October 24, Drew opened up about her experience, saying, “I also was someone who got taken away and put in a place for two years.” Looking back, she said that getting help was “the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Mae, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, was surprised by this revelation, replying, “I didn’t know that you were at one of those places.” Mae, who starred in Wayward, a movie about troubled teens, shared that the film was inspired in part by a childhood friend, Nicole, who spent time in a similar program.
Drew, clearly moved by the conversation, told Mae, “Watching the show, there was way too much accuracy. It was too real for me in that element where I knew there was no way you weren’t telling an authentic perspective.” Mae agreed, adding that now as an adult, they feel “so protective” of young people going through similar struggles.
Mae went on to talk about the experience of being pathologized at a young age, and how that feeling influenced the portrayal of troubled youth in the show. “I think all that went into it,” they said. “It’s so important to protect young people going through this.”
Even though the show deals with heavy topics, both Drew and Mae agreed that it doesn’t feel depressing to watch. Drew also shared a personal moment, saying she went through a breakdown when she turned 40 but is now in a much better place.
“We pull ourselves up, hopefully, and we find people that encourage us to tell the truth,” she said. “The opposite of shame is what really helps us grow and heal from any erratic behavior or societal judgment.”
Drew added that, despite how it may sound, she actually found “lightness” in rehab. “It was encouragement to say your truths, to be brave, to find humor and heroism in your journey,” she explained. “It’s the best thing that ever happened to me, honestly. And I hold a lot of it sacrosanct, but it wasn’t easy. It was hard as hell.”
For Drew, rehab wasn’t just about recovery—it was a turning point in finding her strength and purpose. And for Mae, it’s a reminder of how important it is to protect those who need help.
