All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
It may not seem like it, but plastic surgery—as well as its myriad cousins which fall under the “cosmetic procedures” umbrella—is not for everyone in Hollywood. Some stars, like Jamie Lee Curtis and Justine Bateman, have opened up about their decisions to forgo surgery. And now this seeming minority has a new addition: Drew Barrymore.
In an interview with People published on November 16, the 48-year-old explained her reasoning—and it has nothing to do with a distaste for the look of cosmetic surgeries, or a judgment toward people who elect to have them. Rather, Barrymore says her “highly addictive personality” is the biggest factor in her decision to steer clear of any procedures.
“I worry I’d continue to chase it, get this and that done,” explained the actor and talk show host. “That scares me, just because of my own approach to things. So, I’m waiting on making any alterations.”
Barrymore has opened up about her struggles with drug and alcohol addiction on multiple occasions. After battling substance abuse as a child and young adult, Barrymore quit drinking in 2019, embarking on a completely sober lifestyle.
As of now, she says she hasn’t “done anything” to alter her appearance, and she plans “to maintain that as long as possible.” She added, “I have zero judgment for anyone doing anything. But I don’t see myself resorting to it.”
Barrymore’s concerns about becoming addicted to plastic surgery are not unfounded. Several studies have found that body modifications can become addictive, especially to people who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder. Even those who don’t experience a clinical addiction can get caught in a cycle that’s difficult to break free from. Courteney Cox shared in 2023 that for her, getting cosmetic procedures had a “domino effect.”
“You look in the mirror and go, Oh, that looks good, you think, and you don’t realize what it looks like to the outside person, and just doing too many fillers and having to have them removed—which thank God they are removable—I think I messed up a lot and now luckily I can,” Cox shared. “I was able to reverse most of that, now I’m actually just older.”
For now Drew Barrymore is “embracing” getting older and all that comes with it. “[Aging] means you’re alive, you’re living, and that’s a really good thing,” she said. “Embracing aging is such positive, healthy messaging.”
Above all else, the mother of two is focused on her health. “Health really comes into focus more than anything when there is peril,” she told People. “If you have your health, then you can focus on so many other things—including beauty. But it really is the most important thing of all.”
