Drew Barrymore Emotionally Opens Up to Pamela Anderson About Mutual Struggles

Years later, Barrymore and Anderson decided to take breaks from Hollywood and focus on their individual lives. As they discussed their lives on The Drew Barrymore Show, both women realized how similar they were.

Pamela Anderson, 55, rose to fame as a Playboy model in the Nineties, while Barrymore, 47, started acting at a tender age. Their early successes brought unprecedented scrutiny into their lives.

As the women discussed, they realized the same incidents predicated their early hiatuses from Hollywood. Barrymore told Anderson that having kids changed her perspective on the industry and made her protective.

Anderson concurred saying,

Anderson suffered bullying from the media when someone stole a sex tape of her and her ex-husband, Tommy Lee, and distributed it online. The movie industry blacklisted Anderson, and the only publication that kept her afloat was Playboy. 

As mothers of two children each, Barrymore and Anderson don't want the kids to experience the hardships they did. Anderson told the tv show host that the sex tape incident changed her life forever.

The Baywatch star hired security at her children's schools because "people attempted to kidnap them." Barrymore broke into tears because the situation resonated with her.

They admitted that being celebrities came with risks, but their children didn't deserve to deal with such consequences.

Barrymore asked the older actress for tips on keeping celebrity children safe from the media and got them. The 55-year-old told her to censor social media and keep her boys from the internet until they're old enough to care for themselves.

In protecting their children, both women struggle with maintaining romantic relationships. Anderson told Barrymore that she struggles to love men who aren't her children's fathers. Being alone doesn't stop her from pursuing love.

In her Netflix documentary, Love, Pamela, Anderson spoke more about her love life. Last year she was single after breaking up her fourth marriage, but Anderson claims it was the happiest time of her life.

Barrymore concurred with Anderson's ideology saying,

Although Barrymore's children are still minors - Olive, 10, and Frankie, 8 - Anderson's boys are adults - Brandon, 26, and Dylan, 25. The boys now understand what their mother experienced to keep them safe, and they do their best to return the favor.

Anderson's documentary, Love, Pamela, showed the audience how close she is to her children. The documentary touched on the recent resurfacing of her sex tape scandal due to the Hulu series Pam & Tommy. 

Anderson didn't sanction the production of that story, but the rights weren't hers to distribute, which she found odd considering she was the subject. Her boys encouraged her to avoid the series and focus on her new project - Chicago on Broadway.

Dylan and Brandon watched the series and shared the story with their mother while uplifting her and reminding Anderson that they'll always protect her.

The boys supported Anderson through her Broadway training and watched her conquer her fears as she returned to Hollywood in grand style.

Meanwhile, Barrymore doesn't act anymore but focuses on making her daytime talk show successful. NBC renewed the show for a third and fourth season following its success in 2022.

Barrymore promised to continue spreading joy and telling happy stories with her platform. The Drew Barrymore Show hosts more than only celebrities but also regular folks doing great things.