- - Drew Barrymore Reveals Message Behind Her Sardine Tattoos Symbolizing Her 2 Daughters and 'Younger Self'

Michelle LeeJanuary 8, 2026 at 6:04 AM

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The Drew Barrymore Show;Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Drew Barrymore reflects on the meaning of her sardines tattoos -

Drew Barrymore shared the meaningful message behind her tattoo of sardines on a new episode of The Drew Barrymore Show

Her ink, which was done in 2023 with Savannah Guthrie, represents her two daughters and her younger self

Barrymore said her tattoo's design is symbolic of her needing to hold space for her childhood self

Drew Barrymore's diving deep into her tattoo journey.

On the Jan. 7 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress, 50, shared the insightful meaning behind the three sardines tattooed inside her forearm.

"They're for me and my daughters," said Barrymore, who shares Olive, 13, and Frankie, 11, with ex-husband, Will Kopelman. She explained that the trio of fishes are surrounded by a larger, more subtler fish tattoo, which she said represents who she is now.

"I was in my therapy session and I was like, I think one of the sardines is me as a young girl alongside my young daughters and I need to be...holding this and holding that space, if you will, for my younger self," she explained.

She then reflected on her parenting. "I never did anything but demand, demand, demand," she continued. "I think a lot of people are pre-conditioned to raise themselves and to be a little bit, if not a very mega, punitive parent as if that's any way we're supposed to raise ourselves in this life and in this world." Barrymore recognized that "littler person" inside of her "holding on" to pain.

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The tattoo was added to Barrymore's collection in 2023 when she got tattoos alongside Savannah Guthrie. They did the same thing in March 2025 when The Today anchor appeared on Barrymore's talk show.

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Drew Barrymore at the 2025 CBSFEST

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Barrymore has previously opened up about how her own childhood, which included a tumultuous relationship with her mother, Jaid, would impact how she raised her two little ones.

"Actions have consequences, and I think I wasn't willing to blame anyone else. If I had blamed somebody else, I would have forgiven them by now. And I haven't forgiven myself, and it's really hard," Barrymore said on her show in March 2025.

"I want my kids to be kids. I see how important that is now. I didn't understand that growing up, and I want to protect them so much. Putting the time in," she continued. "Being willing to put the time in. I think that's been a huge recipe for me is like keep making that daily investment in your kid."

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