Drew Barrymore is setting the record straight on that seemingly awkward moment between her and Martha Stewart on her talk show.

Last November, Stewart made headlines when she visited The Drew Barrymore Show and playfully pushed Barrymore away from her after the host began to rub her shoulder during their interview. But now Barrymore has explained that Stewart’s shove was all in good fun. 

“I think she was just teasing,” Barrymore said of their interaction on a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live. “I’ve never been able to say this before with confidence, but I think I can now: I think Martha really does like me. And I think the internet just misunderstood the moment and ran with it.”

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That wasn’t always the case, though, Barrymore said. “When I first was getting to know her, I was like, ‘I don’t think she likes me,'” the 50 First Dates star confessed. “But I think I broke through, and I finally, like… She doesn’t dislike me!”

Stewart pushed Barrymore away during a conversation about what makes the author and businesswoman “soft and gooey” in relationships. After learning that Stewart likes a partner to treat her kindly, Barrymore began to cheekily rub the shoulder, causing Stewart to roll her eyes and give her a little push. 

“You’re the wrong gender,” Stewart deadpanned before bursting into laughter. Barrymore, who collapsed sadly onto the other side of the couch, replied, “I know. I know!”

Since her talk show started in 2020, Barrymore has fielded both criticism and praise for getting up close and personal while interviewing her guests, holding their hands, rubbing their shoulders, and hugging them during their wide-ranging conversations.

The actress has since stated that she is working on keeping a bit more distance while shooting her current fifth season but, as she noted on Watch What Happens Live, it’s easier said than done.

“I can’t actually control it, because I got focus-grouped when we launched, and it was not good,” Barrymore admitted. “It was awful.”

Hollywood Squares host Nate Burleson noted on WWHL that Barrymore is trying to “work on that for 2025,” before asking her, “How’s that going?”

“Not good!” Barrymore replied.

Her intimate approach to interviews, however, has led her to discover something very unexpected about her guests: They all seem to have decent oral hygiene.

“Here’s the best news: No one has had bad breath yet,” Barrymore said. “I’m like pupil to pupil, and nobody’s had bad breath.”

Watch Barrymore discuss her interaction with Stewart in the clip above.