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Drew Barrymore reveals she wore false teeth as a child with throwback video you need to see

Her mom was known to heavily manage her career


drew barrymore child star childhood© Photo: Getty Images
Beatriz Colon
Beatriz Colon - New York
New York WriterNew York
May 31, 2022
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As a former child star, some of Drew Barrymore's earliest milestones were recorded for posterity, and not just moments like her first big break, but her more turbulent years as well.

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However, the star has never shied away from talking about her difficult childhood, or reliving some of her many "firsts" under the public eye that may not have aged well.

Her latest throwback posted to her Instagram, though undeniably adorable, also attests to the many things she had to do as a child to earn fame.

WATCH: Drew makes emotional visit to the place where she was institutionalized 

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The moment captured is Drew's very first time on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, in 1982, when she was just seven-years-old.

In it, young Drew tells the late host: "I've been waiting all my life to meet you, it's a miracle," wasting no time to get comfortable with him and the audience watching her.

So comfortable in fact, that when Johnny told her: "You have a pretty smile, you have pretty teeth," she didn't hesitate to reply with: "You know… tell me if you notice this, it would be kinda easier to talk without my teeth."

View post on Instagram
 

The adorable moment has a more unfortunate context

She goes on to hilariously remove the fake teeth she had on, and when she smiled, she revealed several of her teeth still hadn't fully grown out, causing fits of laughter from the audience.

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Though it served as one of her first funny and candid moments on live television, the then seven-year-old admitted: "They kill," explaining they didn't feel at all comfortable, and when Johnny suggested she leave them off, not only did she promptly take him up on the offer, but she's also heard mumbling how she wishes her mom wouldn't make her wear them.

drew barrymore johnny carson appearance© Photo: Getty Images

Drew shows off her real smile to Johnny and his audience

She goes on to say, louder: "My mom would kill me if I left them here… She was about to when I lost them the other day."

Though Drew has since repaired what was once a fraught relationship with her mother, Jaid Barrymore, the single mom was publicly criticised by many over her parenting, known to have taken the young actress to clubs and often leaving her to her own devices.

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