Ariana Grande and Drew Barrymore Had a Compliment-Off

Of course two water signs know how to turn on the waterworks. Ariana Grande and Drew Barrymore praised each other during the December 5 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, ultimately both tearing up. “a cancer & a pisces walk into a bar,” Grande commented on an Instagram clip of the conversation. While holding both Barrymore’s hand and Glinda’s wand from The Wizard of Oz ( yes, really — a museum loaned it out), Grande expressed her admiration for the talk-show host and fellow former child star. “I don’t know too much about what your relationship has been to this industry the whole time, but I do know what you have shared publicly about it. And I just have to say, it can be ugly sometimes,” she said, getting misty-eyed herself. “And your strength and your heart, and who you are, the light that you bring, and your ability to dance in the rain and preserve that childlike wonder is such a gift.” Barrymore’s eyes visibly welled up as Grande praised her for the work she’s done to “come home to Little Drew.”

Naturally, the complimenting went both ways. At another point during the show, Barrymore brought Grande to tears by declaring that acting is her “calling,” noting that her performance as Galinda in the Jon M. Chu film is “one for the ages.” “It’s not easy to do these things, to be funny and strong and vulnerable and powerful and empathetic and righteous and all the colors that you bring to this,” Barrymore said. “I as an actor have done this my whole life, and I’m watching you going, Oh my god. How is she doing all of this?” Naturally, Grande began to quietly sniffle. Maybe it’s good that Barrymore had Cynthia Erivo on as a separate guest. After such an emotional press tour, those three women sitting hand-in-hand while talking heart-to-heart? We’re not sure if their tear ducts could handle it.

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