Drew Barrymore is no stranger to public scrutiny, but her latest revelation about her 2016 divorce from Will Kopelman is among her most personal yet. Nearly a decade after the end of their four-year marriage, Barrymore admitted that she still has not fully healed from the experience.
The talk show host opened up about her struggles during a recent conversation with Joy Behar and Susie Essman. She shared that the divorce shattered her dream of a stable family and left her emotionally drained.
Barrymore explained that the divorce completely upended her life, saying she had been deeply invested in creating a secure home for her daughters, Olive and Frankie. The separation, she admitted, was harder to process because there was no major scandal or betrayal—just the painful realization that their marriage was not working.
Struggling to Cope With the Loss
Following the divorce, Barrymore found herself in a difficult place emotionally. She had always wanted to give her children the kind of stable upbringing she never had, and when her marriage ended, she felt an overwhelming sense of failure.
In the years that followed, Barrymore leaned on alcohol to cope. She admitted that during that dark period, drinking was a way to numb the pain, describing it as a constant struggle where she felt incapable of making positive changes.
Barrymore, who had gone to rehab as a teenager after battling addiction, knew she was falling into dangerous patterns again. It took time, but she eventually made the decision to quit drinking entirely in 2019. The realization that she needed to heal for the sake of her daughters was a turning point.
An insider close to Barrymore shared that quitting alcohol was just one step in the long process of moving forward. She spent years rebuilding her confidence, redefining her sense of self, and learning to accept that her life had taken a different path than she had originally planned.
A Complicated Family History Weighs on Her
Barrymore’s deep desire for a traditional family came from her own tumultuous childhood. She was born into the famous Barrymore acting dynasty, a family known for both talent and turmoil.
Her grandfather, John Barrymore, was a legendary actor but struggled with alcoholism. Her father, John Drew Barrymore, also battled addiction and was largely absent from her life.
As a child, Barrymore experienced fame at a young age, starring in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial when she was just seven years old. But behind the scenes, she was exposed to an adult world of parties and substance abuse. By nine, she was drinking alcohol. By twelve, she had started using cocaine.
Her struggles were well-documented, leading to a stint in rehab at the age of thirteen. She later became emancipated from her parents, determined to carve out a different life for herself.
When she became a mother, Barrymore was committed to breaking the cycle. The end of her marriage to Kopelman felt like a personal failure, as she had wanted to provide her daughters with the stability she never had.
Co-Parenting With Will Kopelman
Despite the pain of their divorce, Barrymore and Kopelman have managed to build a healthy co-parenting relationship. Over time, they worked through their differences and focused on what was best for their children.
Barrymore has spoken about how proud she is of the progress they have made as co-parents. They have learned to communicate effectively and put their children first. While the split was heartbreaking, she now acknowledges that maintaining a positive relationship with her ex-husband has been one of the best things for their daughters.
Kopelman has since remarried, tying the knot with Alexandra Michler in 2023. Barrymore has expressed happiness for him, noting that their love has evolved into a different kind of partnership centered on raising their children together.
She has said that even though their marriage ended, they will always be connected through their family. She and Kopelman continue to attend events together for their daughters and are committed to maintaining a strong sense of unity for their sake.
Moving Forward and Embracing the Future
After years of focusing on her children and personal healing, Barrymore is finally considering the idea of dating again. For a long time, she was hesitant, afraid of repeating past mistakes.
Friends have been encouraging her to put herself out there, believing that she deserves happiness beyond her career and motherhood.
An insider shared that Barrymore is in a much better place now than she was just a few years ago. She is taking things slowly but is open to meeting new people. While she is not actively looking for a serious relationship, she is allowing herself to enjoy life in a way she has not in a long time.
Barrymore has also found joy in her work. Her talk show has been a huge success, giving her a platform to connect with people on a deeper level. She has used it as a space to share her personal experiences and help others going through similar struggles.
Reflecting on her journey, Barrymore has said that while the past decade has been filled with challenges, she has come out stronger. She acknowledges that the pain of her divorce will always be a part of her story, but she refuses to let it define her.
As she continues to grow personally and professionally, Barrymore remains focused on what truly matters—her children, her career, and her own happiness. While the road has been far from easy, she has proven that resilience and self-love can lead to new beginnings.
She has often spoken about the importance of embracing change and finding beauty in unexpected turns. Though her dream of a traditional family did not unfold the way she imagined, she has built a life that is full of love in its own unique way.
Drew Barrymore’s journey has been one of resilience, self-reflection, and growth. Though her divorce left her deeply wounded, she has worked hard to rebuild her life and find happiness on her own terms.
As she steps into this next chapter, she does so with a newfound sense of confidence. Whether it is through her work, her role as a mother, or her willingness to open herself up to love again, Barrymore continues to prove that healing is possible, even after the most painful endings.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.