SZA Gave The Most Heartfelt Speech On “The Drew Barrymore Show” About Drew’s Impact On Her As A Role Model

1 year ago 59

SZA explained that her song “Drew Barrymore” was not only named after Drew but completely inspired by her.

If SZA dominated your Spotify Wrapped again in 2024, congratulations — you’re just like me.

SZA in long, wavy hair wears a low-cut, long-sleeve yellow dress with layered necklaces on an iHeartRadio red carpet

But if not, you might not know that SZA has a 2017 hit song named after the Charlie’s Angels star-turned-talk-show host Drew Barrymore.

Drew Barrymore with long wavy hair smiles, wearing a suit jacket, collared shirt, and patterned tie at an event backdrop

Fans had been waiting for this full-circle moment for a while, and fortunately, the Grammy winner’s long-awaited appearance on Drew’s show absolutely delivered.

SZA in a stylish outfit speaks at the Billboard Power 100 event

Snuggled on the couch together, SZA described why she named a song after Drew, saying, “It was inspired by you, it wasn’t just titled after you […] The energy you carry — even my outfit is inspired by the way you made me feel my entire life, like, carefree.”

SZA and Drew Barrymore seated, engaged in conversation on a talk show set with flowers in the background

“I wrote you this letter that I never sent you,” SZA continued as Drew gazed at her with a smile. “It talked about… I guess when you’re a Black woman there’s not a lot of examples all the time and one of the few lovely white women that I looked up to so much on television was you, because you’re so yourself,” she said.

Person smiling during a talk show interview, wearing a striped shirt with a white collar. Background has cityscape visuals

“You’re so quirky, like your smile wasn’t perfect… I have a slight speech impediment and it’s like a running joke, like what is SZA saying…,” the singer added. “But it’s like, I love the way you talk, all the you-ness of you, your laugh… Even in the movies and in real life.”

SZA and Drew Barrymore sitting on a talk show set, engaged in conversation. One wears a patterned dress and long, curly hair, gesturing while speaking

“It just reminds me of all the things about myself that make me nervous, but on you it shines so brightly. You gave me permission to be myself,” she said, holding onto Drew’s hands.

SZA and Drew Barrymore sit on a white couch during a talk show. One wears a vest and shirt, the other wears a patterned dress with knee-high boots. City skyline view

SZA kept talking as Drew went in for a bear hug, eyes shining. “All your old photoshoots, I look them up. You’re just — you’ve always been the pinnacle to me, Drew.” And I’m not crying. You are.

SZA and Drew Barrymore hugging on a talk show set. One has long, curly hair and wears a patterned outfit. The other is embracing them, partially visible

As the interview went on, it became clear that these two are complete twin flames. Drew’s expressive and tactile gestures matched perfectly with SZA’s earthy girl one-with-the-universe vibe. And the two found that they have a ton of stuff in common.

"watch drew weekdays DREW."

While speaking about the “word of the year” that SZA had been given, she and Drew realized they somehow had been given the same word — “faith.”

Drew Barrymore on talk show reacts with surprise to SZA; lively interaction on set

On the pair’s matching “words of the year,” SZA added, “It’s about faith and pursuit, it’s about just continuing… And thank you for even just making it available for me to pursue.”

SZA and Drew Barrymore are talking in a TV studio setting. One is wearing a patterned outfit with long wavy hair, and the other is wearing a striped shirt

The conversation veered towards journalling, working with anxiety, and SZA’s upcoming vow of silence trip to India. They then discovered that they have the same favorite poet — Charles Bukowski — before being cut off by a commercial break.

SZA and Drew Barrymore sit on a talk show set with a city skyline view. One wears a suit; the other, a floral skirt and boots

And while the two were pressed for time, from the looks of their conversation it seems they’ve formed a real connection.

Woman with long hair in a striped shirt smiles during a talk show interview. Background has a cityscape view

You can watch the full clip here.

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