Oprah Winfrey says she wasn't put off at all by Drew Barrymore's handsy behavior during an interview with her earlier this week – and is encouraging her longtime partner Stedman Graham to take notice.
Oprah, 69, said she was “not a little bit” uncomfortable with Barrymore's behavior in the performance – which was panned by viewers on social media.
“I was actually comforted by the arm caress,” the TV icon said TMZ Tuesday when she promoted The Color Purple in the Empire State Building.
The media mogul joked that she hoped Graham, 72, would follow suit after Barrymore, 48, was seen repeatedly caressing Oprah's arm and hand during the exchange.
“I went home and told Steadman to stroke my arm – 'Stedman, I need to be stroked on my arm' – it's so comforting,” the veteran broadcaster said.
Oprah Winfrey, 69, says she wasn't put off at all by Drew Barrymore's handsy demeanor during an interview with her earlier this week, when she spoke to TMZ on Tuesday while at the Empire State Building to promote The Color Purple.
Oprah said she was 'not a little' uncomfortable with Barrymore's behavior in the performance – which was panned by viewers on social media
The tough television personality explained her state of mind after the exchange.
“I didn't feel uncomfortable at all,” Oprah said. 'I've never seen her do that, but I found it endearing, I thought; I really loved it, thanks for asking.
The Kosciusko, Mississippi-born star, who celebrates her 70th birthday next month, had words of praise for Barrymore, who was at the center of controversy three months ago when she decided to continue her talk show amid the writers' strike.
Oprah said, “Drew, she's amazing, and I love that she's always herself, I really like that.”
During the show, Barrymore praised Oprah as a role model for her as a talk show host, especially her tendency to talk to the audience to build chemistry for the show.
Oprah said Barrymore did an admirable job hosting the show amid the coronavirus pandemic without a studio audience present.
“That's why this is so hard to do without an audience, and I complimented you on getting through it without an audience, because it's close — because you don't get their energy,” Oprah said.
The media mogul joked that she hoped her longtime partner Stedman Graham, 72, would follow suit after Barrymore was seen repeatedly caressing Oprah's arm and hand during the exchange. Pictured in Atlanta in 2019
Barrymore, 48, was seen repeatedly caressing Oprah's arm and hand during the exchange
During the show, Barrymore praised Oprah as a role model for her as a talk show host, especially her tendency to talk to the audience to build chemistry for the show.
Oprah said of Barrymore: 'Drew, she's amazing, and I love that she's always herself, I really like that'
Winfrey said of Barrymore's behavior in the chat: 'I didn't feel uncomfortable at all'
A number of commenters in the comments section upvoted a clip of the interview that Barrymore posted on her show's Instagram page and on her personal page
One user said they wished Barrymore would “stop touching people,” and said she exhibited similar behavior during a recent conversation with Dolly Parton
A number of commenters chimed in in the comments section on a clip that Barrymore posted of the interview on her show's Instagram page and on her personal page.
“Drew, everyone doesn't want his or her hands holding a boo,” said one user, while another added that “someone needs to give Drew the personal space talk.”
One user asked Barrymore, “Why is she so sensitive it's very uncomfortable to watch,” while another said that “Holding the hand and having the arm caressed is crossing my line.”
Another user said Oprah's “body language was so obvious she wanted her hand back.”
One user said they wished Barrymore would “stop touching people,” and said she exhibited similar behavior during a recent conversation with Dolly Parton.