MOST celebrities appear unapproachable, almost mythical creatures that seem to have sort of steady, bubble-like glow around them. They’ve got stylists for the Oscars, drivers for grocery shopping and personal assistants for getting them a table at Momofuko. In 10 minutes. They walk, we follow. They talk, we listen. They fart, we applaud.
And then there’s Drew Barrymore. The seemingly approachable, Apple-guy dating, adorable Drew. She appears to be just like the rest of us. In fact, many of us, myself included, not only admire the now 34-year-old “E.T.” screamer, but we want to be her friend. And actually think it could happen. Why? Because we get the sense that if we farted, she’d applaud. (Or at least giggle.)
“Whenever I read an interview with her,” says Kim, 31, of the West Village, “her quotes make her seem like a normal person, yet a more head-in-the-clouds, optimistic version. I think, ‘Oh, Drew! We’d be best friends!’”
No doubt, verbiage such as her confession in Marie Claire’s March issue about bingeing on Kraft macaroni and cheese after a breakup — “the kind with the cheese you squeeze out of a bag that takes at least a month to pass through your body” — makes it hard not to want to make her an honorary bridesmaid.
Even celebrities themselves are enchanted by her charm. Juliette Lewis, part of the ensemble cast of “Whip It,” Drew’s directorial debut, out Friday, told The Post, “She’s what you think she is and more. She’s just inspiring because her energy is infectious.”
Ellen Page, the film’s star, recalls her “surreal” first meeting with the star in this month’s Marie Claire.
“It was like, ‘Oh, this is going to be great,’” says Page. “And then it went into, ‘Oh, my God, I’m really crazy about this person.’”
The crazy thing for those of us who believe we’d be off buying the other half of a best friend charm upon meeting her on the street, is that Drew isn’t just any famous face. She was 7 when she first appeared in “E.T.,” 15 when she emancipated herself from her legendary Hollywood parents and 20 when she flashed David Letterman on “The Late Show.” She’s got her own production company and surrounds herself with equally famous people such as Cameron Diaz and Jimmy Fallon, with both of whom she’s made major movies. She’s as untouchable as they come.
And yet, I truly believe we could be brunch buddies who knock back bloody while dishing about bad dates and “Grey’s Anatomy.”
It’s more than just her lopsided smile and quotable remarks, too. Anna, 31, from Brooklyn, wants to extend her a friend request because they’re into the same things. “We were both at the same Arcade Fire concert and also flew on the same flight from LAX to LGA once,” she says. “She was with Justin Long in first class eating Burger King. Need I say more? She’s so real.”
Whether she’s eating greasy fries in roomy seats or wearing face paint to a baseball game, her personality is appealing. As is the fact that she’s not even a great actress. Sure, films such as “The Wedding Singer,” “Never Been Kissed” and “50 First Dates” are wildly popular and make millions at the box office, but she’s no award-winner. “She’s more giggly, less goddess,” says Laura, 40, of Brooklyn. She makes movies she’d want to watch herself.
“I love those movies!” Drew told Marie Claire. “Give me a makeover montage and, like, me and my 10 gay friends are going to re-enact it in my closet that night.”
There’s even something to be said for her taste in men. (Tom Green notwithstanding.) I mean, Justin Long? The Apple guy? He’s as non-Hollywood as they come. Drew got that — and went for it. And yet, she also went for badass musician Fabrizio Morretti of the Strokes. Just like anyone of us, she thought she could make it work with a band boy. And just like anyone of us, she smartened up.
“She seems to have sh–ty luck with the dudes,” adds Laura, “so that’s relatable.”
At the end of the day, though, we can’t all make a documentary to try and win her affection as Brian Herzlinger did with 2004’s “My Date With Drew.” (Though, the fact that she appeased the dude with a lunch further proves her loveliness.)
“If I saw her, I would say, ‘Hey, how’s it going?’” says Anna. “I’d probably sound like I was trying to pick her up. But I guess maybe I am…as my friend.”
For those who aren’t as lucky, I suppose an imaginary friendship will suffice. I’m pretty sure she’d play along.