In a candid new interview, former child star Drew Barrymore has opened up about being "blacklisted" by Hollywood at the age of 12.
After developing a cocaine habit at an extremely young age, the 45-year-old says she was essentially dropped by the film industry.
Speaking with the Sun, Barrymore said: “I don’t know how I ended up here but I will never lose sight of how lucky I am. Being blacklisted at 12, I appreciate every job I have.
“I know what it’s like to lose and work for things and be so lucky and have the opportunities I have and everything in between. I don’t think there’s much to hide at this point."
Drew kicks off the first episode of The Drew Barrymore Show with her Charlie's Angels co-stars, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu:When the Music and Lyrics actor was just four years old, she starred in Steven Spielberg's 1982 blockbuster E.T.
Following several film and TV appearances, Barrymore became a household name. However, her home life was far from perfect. She was estranged from her father and her mother had introduced her to New York’s Studio 54 club, where the TV host first experimented with drugs.
By the age of 12, Barrymore had started using marijuana and cocaine. She was later sent to a mental institution by her mother and began treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.
According to the actress, when film execs found out: "They just wrote me off as damaged goods and I, sadly, understood that."
Things went from bad to worse and the young starlet even attempted to take her own life at 14.
Having eventually severed ties with her mom, Barrymore sought to rebuild her career.
Last month, the TV personality's virtual daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, debuted, giving her a new creative outlet.
"I’m honored anyone will come on the show. I’m not an assuming person. I’ve been in this industry my whole life but I’m just as excited to be around people of note as anyone would be," she told the Sun.
"I’ve never pretended to be anyone I’m not. I’ve never felt more humble and grateful than I do right now — to be alive, to have two kids that are healthy, to be among this crew and this team, and getting this opportunity."
