Drew Barrymore Opens Up About Divorce, Motherhood, and SNL Memories

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Drew Barrymore, 49, is opening up about her journey through divorce, motherhood, and her iconic career in a candid interview with PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly. The actress and television host reflected on her personal struggles, her role as a mother, and her upcoming appearance at Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary special.

Barrymore, who divorced Will Kopelman in 2016, shared how she navigated the challenges of her split while raising her two daughters, Olive, 12, and Frankie, 10. “My dream family was falling apart, and I didn’t know how to put one foot in front of the other,” Barrymore recalled. “I just knew that my life was heavy, painful, and sad—and I sat in that for a while.”

Despite the difficulties, Barrymore emphasized her commitment to being a present and supportive parent. “Eventually, thank goodness, I lifted myself out of it,” she said. “I had two kids, and I had to figure it out.” She also praised her ex-husband’s new relationship with Alexandra Michler, noting their positive co-parenting dynamic. “We’ve got an awesome family dynamic that proves that life goes on,” Barrymore told PEOPLE in December 2022.

While her daughters encourage her to date, Barrymore said finding a new partner is not a priority. “My girls say I should go on dates, but I also know how I felt when men were around when I was little—it didn’t feel safe to me,” she explained. Instead, she is focused on being the “dream” parent she aspires to be.

In addition to her personal life, Barrymore discussed her storied career, including her historic appearances on Saturday Night Live. At just 7 years old, she became the youngest host in SNL history following her role in Steven Spielberg‘s *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*. She has since hosted the show five more times, earning her a spot in the prestigious Five-Timers Club.

Barrymore will attend SNL’s 50th anniversary special next month, though her exact role remains unclear. “I’ve hosted six times, so if it’s just to be there, that’s enough for me,” she said. Reflecting on her first SNL appearance, Barrymore credited former cast member Robin Williams for making her feel at ease. “He was very kind and nurturing and funny, and he was really good to me,” she said.

Barrymore also shared her excitement about teaming up with Orlando Bloom for MSC Cruises‘ upcoming Super Bowl ad. The commercial, which features the pair aboard the MSC World America, highlights the joys of travel. “I was like, ‘Okay, so somebody could get on this boat, go, be taken places, [and] be shown the world,’” Barrymore said.

The actress, who has been working since she was 11 months old, expressed amazement at her early achievements. “I have two daughters: one’s going to be 11, one’s going to be 13. None of this makes sense to me,” she said. “It didn’t feel weird at the time. It felt so normal.”

MSC World America is set to launch from PortMiami on April 9, 2025, with additional cruises departing from Galveston, Texas, and Alaska later in the year. The Super Bowl ad featuring Barrymore and Bloom will air on February 9.