The Pressure on Drew Barrymore to Change Her Appearance in 'Never Been Kissed'

Drew Barrymore Was Told By Studio to Tone Down Her Ugly in Never Been Kissed

Drew Barrymore Paul Morigi/Getty Images

During the 1999 romantic comedy Never Been Kissed, Drew Barrymore had to tone down her performance.

The actress, 49, shared on The Drew Barrymore Show on Friday, April 19, that it was an interesting experience because it was the first official film for her production company Flower Films. At that time, there was skepticism about actors becoming producers. Just because you were an actor didn't mean you automatically knew how to produce a film.

Barrymore explained that the success of a film depends on its economics. If a film fails and an actor is the producer, they may not get another opportunity to produce a film.

Barrymore also shared that she was very nervous throughout the filming process. She knew that if the film didn't do well, they wouldn't have another chance. Despite the anxiety, she mentioned that they had a great time making the film and it was the best experience, although she had a tense stomach throughout.

Barrymore shared that studio executives would send her notes saying she appeared "too unattractive," to which she responded positively. However, they felt she went "too far" and requested her to tone it down a bit.

She mentioned that she decided to adjust her portrayal of Josie Gellar after the studio made a comment that resonated with her values rather than her ego. They expressed the importance of not losing the heart of the character while aiming for comedy.

Drew Barrymore Was Told By Studio to Tone Down Her Ugly in Never Been Kissed

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Barrymore remembered thinking, "Great argument. Let me dial it back a little bit." She explained that what you see in Josie is her being more restrained, and it ended up working out. She felt fortunate and grateful, often walking around in disbelief that it all came together and they were going to have a second chance.

Never Been Kissed follows Josie, a young journalist at the Chicago Sun-Times, who returns to her old high school for a story. With the help of her brother Rob, she joins the popular group, putting her investigation at risk when she develops feelings for her English teacher, Sam Coulson.

Barrymore shared her thoughts on her experience with Never Been Kissed, describing it as a mix of raw emotions, beauty, and humor. In April 2019, she took to Instagram to express how the film helped her reflect on what truly matters in life. She emphasized the importance of humor in dealing with pain, stating that laughter and humility go hand in hand. Barrymore also highlighted the significance of having a supportive cast, great music, and a shared vision in creating a memorable story. She ended her post with a nod to her character, Josie Grossie, declaring her love for the film and its lasting impact.

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