After facing criticism (and picketing) for resuming production on The Drew Barrymore Show during the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Drew Barrymore released a tearful apology video on Friday, then deleted it a few hours later.
“I wanted to own a decision, so that it wasn’t a PR-protected situation, and I would just take full responsibility for my actions,” Barrymore said in the since-deleted Instagram video.
The actress and TV host added, “I know there’s just nothing I can do that will make this okay for those this is not okay with. I fully accept that. I fully understand that. There are so many reasons why this is so complex and I just want everyone to know my intentions have never been in a place to upset or hurt anyone. That’s not who I am.”
Related Story: Drew Barrymore Says Talk Show Will Return Amid Strikes – WGA Issues Picket Alert
She went on to apologize.
“I’ve been through so many ups and downs in my life and this is one of them. I deeply apologize to writers. I deeply apologize to unions. I deeply apologize,” she said as her eyes filled with tears.
Barrymore, who is an executive producer on her talk show, admitted that she never expected blowback she’s gotten for her decision to cross the picket line. But she said her staff is depending on her.
“I wanted to do this because, as I said, this is bigger than me and there are other people’s jobs on the line,” she explained.
The Hollywood A-lister stunned the entertainment industry on Sept. 10, when she announced her decision to return to work.
“I own this choice,” she wrote in a lengthy statement on Instagram.
“We are in compliance with not discussing or promoting film and television that is struck of any kind.”
The announcement did not go over well, with many in the entertainment industry.
The WGA responded by issuing an alert on X/Twitter urging members to picket outside the studio in New York City where the show is filmed.
“The @DrewBarrymoreTV Show is a WGA covered, struck show that is planning to return without its writers,” the WGA stated on Sunday. “The Guild has, and will continue to, picket struck shows that are in production during the strike.” the union posted.
Despite the controversy, The Drew Barrymore Show is scheduled to return to TV on Monday, Sept. 18.
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