> At a Glance
> – Drew Barrymore explained her 2023 sardine tattoo on the January 7 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show
> – The three fish represent her daughters Olive, 13, and Frankie, 11, plus her own younger self
> – She says the ink reminds her to “hold space” for the child she was
> – Why it matters: The star’s reflection offers a candid look at parenting after a difficult childhood
Drew Barrymore offered an emotional glimpse into her family-inspired ink during a recent episode of her talk show.
The Meaning Behind the Sardines
The 50-year-old actress got the tattoo with Today anchor Savannah Guthrie in 2023. She told viewers the design shows three sardines encircled by a larger, subtler fish that represents who she is today.
> “They’re for me and my daughters,” Barrymore said, explaining that the trio honors daughters Olive, 13, and Frankie, 11, and her own inner child.
She recalled realizing during a therapy session that one sardine symbolized “me as a young girl alongside my young daughters” and the need to hold space for her childhood self.
Parenting Through a New Lens
Barrymore admitted that her early parenting style was “demand, demand, demand,” because she felt conditioned to raise herself punitively after her turbulent youth. She recognized that her “littler person” was still holding on to pain.
- The tattoo was added to her collection in 2023 with Savannah Guthrie
- The pair repeated the joint tattoo experience when Guthrie visited Barrymore’s show in March 2025
- Barrymore has spoken before about her fraught relationship with mother Jaid and its impact on how she raises her children
Barrymore previously shared:
> “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.”
She added that protecting her daughters’ childhood is now a priority: “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.”
Key Takeaways
- Barrymore’s sardine tattoo serves as a personal reminder to nurture both her daughters and her inner child
- The star is working to break cycles from her own upbringing
- She credits therapy with helping her see the need to hold space for her younger self
The heartfelt reveal underscores how the actress continues to process her past while consciously shaping a gentler path for her family.
