Drew Barrymore fans cheer as she connects with Cynthia Erivo over the power of platonic touch

Drew Barrymore's talk show took a heartwarming turn as the host met her match in actress Cynthia Erivo, sparking a wave of appreciation from fans for the genuine connection between the two women.

During their interview, which will air on December 10, 2024, Cynthia, 37, opened up about her bond with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande and the importance of physical touch in her relationships. As Cynthia spoke, she held Drew's hand, creating a perfect example of the type of platonic intimacy Drew, 49, has often been criticized for on her show.

The pair’s natural interaction was a contrast to Drew's previous interview with Martha Stewart, where the business mogul pushed Drew away after the host began stroking her shoulder. This time, however, fans celebrated Drew’s affection as she and Cynthia discussed how physical connection isn’t limited to romantic relationships, but an essential part of communication between friends.

Cynthia shared her perspective on physical touch, stating, "We don't give enough credit to how we communicate with our friends physically," touching on how small gestures like a squeeze of the hand or a pinch of a finger can convey emotions that words often cannot.

Drew, in her usual bubbly style, agreed, expressing her desire for a world where everyone is more comfortable with physical touch. Viewers online quickly dubbed Cynthia as Drew's "perfect guest," applauding the pair for advocating for platonic intimacy, which many feel is often overlooked in today's society.

One Instagram user wrote, "This one is for all the people who think Drew is 'cringe' with her physical touch on the show! I love this and relate so much," while another commented, "This is Drew's dream guest!"

As the pair ended their emotional conversation, Drew and Cynthia left a lasting message about the importance of human connection, with Drew concluding, "If we could all be more comfortable with physical touch, I would like that world!"