Yahoo Lifestyle SZA Finally Went On “The Drew Barrymore Show,” And This Full-Circle Moment Has Me So Emotional
If SZA dominated your Spotify Wrapped again in 2024, congratulations — you’re just like me.
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.
And this week, SZA made her first-ever talk show appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show after the recent release of the deluxe version of her 2022 SOS album, LANA.
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.
Drew, who is known for her touchy-feely style of interaction with guests on her show, made SZA feel right at home — and IDK about you, but I finally feel like Drew has found a guest who matches her freak (so to speak).
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.”
“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.
“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.”
“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 on to Drew’s hands.
The four-time Grammy winner is known for her authentic lyrics, which often detail her experiences with anxiety and feelings of inadequacy, seen in songs like 2022’s “Special” and 2017’s “Normal Girl.” But, most famously, SZA sings about her insecurities in “Drew Barrymore” with lyrics like “I'm sorry I'm not more attractive / I'm sorry I'm not more ladylike / I'm sorry I don't shave my legs at night.”
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.
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.
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.”
SZA’s came “from the universe,” and Drew’s came “from her therapist.” Go figure.
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.”
The conversation veered toward journaling, 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.
And while the two were pressed for time, from the looks of their conversation it seems they’ve formed a real connection.
You can watch the full clip here.
