Drew Barrymore breaks down while revisiting institution she was committed to at 13: 'I will never lose sight of this part of my story’
The Drew Barrymore Show premiered its second season with Barrymore revisiting all of the formative places in her hometown Los Angeles that shaped her life and career as one of Hollywood's definitive stars.
The tour began at the 46-year-old's childhood home, which was "pretty scary when I was a kid here," from the ages of newborn to seven years old. Barrymore stood at the gate in front of the house and got emotional while realizing, "I don't have to be lonely anymore" because she was "so lonely in this house," as it was just her and her mother, Jaid Barrymore.
The current owner of the house allowed Barrymore to privately come inside without the cameras, and she thanked the off-camera owner for "making it more beautiful."
Barrymore and her crew then drove a Ford Bronco, the type of car she used to drive, over to the first apartment she lived in on her own at just 14 years old. After that, she hit the Book Soup bookstore — her place of education after becoming emancipated, no longer required to attend school — Poquito Mas restaurant and the laundromat she used.
But the actress, host and producer got the most vulnerable at the end when she pulled up to the psychiatric institution that she was committed to as a 13-year-old girl.
"I was a real wild child, and I just got so out of control that no one knew what to do with me," Barrymore said while looking at the building. "And so, my mom called a friend because her daughter was out of control, and they drove me here in the middle of the night. And they walked me right through those two doors, and when you go through those two doors, you do not come out."
She continued:
"I was there for a year and a half. And I hated it. I kicked. I screamed. One minute, you're at movie premieres and clubbing, and the next minute, you're in a full-blown institution with barbed wire everywhere, and you can't get out. I think this is important for me to share with people because when they watch our show, we have a very beautiful set, and I get to dress in nice clothing and get my hair and makeup done, and there's an elegance — hopefully — to the show. But I will never lose sight of this part of my story, and I have seen and been through things. And they've helped me just recognize in all of us that we go through stuff, and it can't be embarrassing. It has to be our strengths. It has to be something that we can be proud of because we overcame it, and we look back with honor. And humor!
"My life is so wonderful compared to what it was in this place. I can't even believe I actually get to be where I am now because when I was here, I didn't see that. I thought I would be here forever. I never thought I was gonna make it to somewhere better. And I'm just so happy with my life, and I don't know if I would have the life I have if it wasn't for a place like this."
Barrymore previously discussed this traumatic experience with Howard Stern in February:
The Drew Barrymore Show, which Barrymore has called her "dream job," began its second season Monday. Watch the full episode below.
More must-reads: