SZA got to explain to Drew Barrymore how she was the inspiration behind a track from her debut album, CTRL.
During her Monday (January 13) appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, where SZA was promoting her new buddy comedy One of Them Days with Keke Palmer, Barrymore kicked things off by bringing up her song “Drew Barrymore,” which she even popped up in the video for.
“You weren’t just the name in the title – you inspired the whole thing,” SZA told the host. “The energy that you carry—even my outfit is inspired by the way you’ve made me feel my entire life, like, carefree.”
SZA got emotional, holding Barrymore’s hand while sharing, “I wrote this letter I never sent you, talking about how when you’re growing up as a Black woman, you don’t always see many role models. And you were one of those rare white women I really looked up to on TV… because you were just so authentically you.”
The four-time Grammy winner connected with Barrymore’s unique traits, including her distinctive smile.
“People always joke about my slight speech impediment like, ‘What’s SZA saying?’ It’s become this running gag. But I love your way of talking and everything that makes you you—your laugh, both in movies and real life,” she shared.
“These things that make me self-conscious just shine on you,” SZA told a teary-eyed Barrymore.
“You showed me it was okay to be myself and that it’s actually cool, not whatever. I’m obsessed with your old photo shoots. You’ve always been my icon. I love you, Drew.”
After they hugged it out, SZA called her “so special” and referenced Barrymore’s famous “rain” moment.
The Charlie’s Angels star remembered filming the video with SZA back in 2017, not realizing how much she meant to the singer.
“Maybe it’s just being humble or insecure—even though we talked about it in the trailer that night, I always told myself, ‘She just used my name for the song, that’s all,’ and I hadn’t heard you explain it quite like this,” Barrymore admitted.
She added, “I think what resonated with you when you were younger, and it’s still true today, is this search for acceptance. We’re all looking for permission to be ourselves. We need someone to tell us it’s okay to be exactly who we are, because I feel that almost every day, and I think everyone does.”
Earlier last year, Barrymore had gushed about being in the video, calling SZA the “coolest person ever.”
