Between her heartwarming talk show and her off-screen persona, Drew Barrymore has used her platform to become a beacon of positivity for fans, but getting to that place was not all sunshine and rainbows. Having booked her first acting gig at just 11 months old, being raised as a child star came with its own unique set of challenges that shaped the now 49-year-old’s sense of self.
If there is any celebrity out there who I know I could count on to make me feel good about myself, its Drew, but the star’s journey to self love and appreciating her own authentic beauty was not always an easy one. Last night, at the celebratory event marking 20 years of Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, Barrymore appeared on a star-studded panel to talk all things natural beauty, including the reason why she’s never gotten any cosmetic treatments done.
Drew Barrymore on Plastic Surgery: Why the Star Won’t Indulge
Dove’s Real Beauty initiative began in 2004 and has since reached millions upon millions of young people, helping them to celebrate and appreciate their real selves. Barrymore’s own experience in the acting industry made her a perfect fit for recapping the 20 years of hard work and the brand’s commitment to showcasing and highlighting authentic beauty for years to come.
During the panel, Barrymore explained that her fear of rejection when it came to her talent was one she confronted quickly, but “when it came to beauty, it took a little bit longer for me. With all the angst, the lack of mental peace, the extraordinary efforts I saw people going to to maintain what they thought was the right standard for these so-called industries, I finally had to submit and become a person who realized that I could never subscribe to this lifestyle and accept that I would live a life where I would not be chasing a dragon.”
That being said, the Scream star made it clear that, when it comes to cosmetic treatments and plastic surgery, she has not and will not take part. “I have a highly addictive personality,” she began, “If I tried anything, I would look like I don’t even know what within a month. I am proud to say that I have never altered myself—I’ve never put a needle in my face, I’ve never screwed with anything, I haven’t messed with a thing. It’s largely a reaction to the toxicity and the pressure, the invitation to self loathe all of my youth that I just said, ‘I am never going to be a part of that.'”
So, when it comes to aging, Barrymore has accepted it happily. “I’m gonna have a turkey neck and I’m gonna see my face turning. I didn’t know cellulite could happen on the face. That’s wild, but I’m gonna go with it.”
