Drew Barrymore Reveals How John Cena Impacted Her Parenting

Drew Barrymore and John Cena have more in common than simply working in the same industry, and you may be surprised by how one of their shared ideologies impacted Barrymore’s parenting — especially considering the WWE star is not a parent.

Cena’s newest movie, Ricky Stanicky, recently hit Prime Video for streaming, and the actor stopped by The Drew Barrymore Show to chat about it. During their conversation on Tuesday, the mom of two revealed how an important message in the film transcended the screen in a talk she had with one of her daughters.

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Honesty Hour with Drew & John

After Cena briefly explained the plot of Ricky Stanicky, remarking that it’s “a movie about an imaginary friend coming to life … basically a movie about a lie you’re telling, becoming real,” Barrymore shared, “[It’s] a good message that I actually go over with my own daughter all the time about honesty.”

Pleasantly surprised, the former wrestler asked the actress about her takeaway from the film’s commentary on honesty. The 50 First Dates alum explained, “Well, it’s like I tell my daughter, I want it to be whatever it is. As long as it’s the truth, I can handle any truth — as long as it’s the truth.” Barrymore added, “I feel like that’s the message of the film, and if you get to a great place with a lie, you’re not in a great place.”

Impressed, Cena replied, “You are hitting home runs today.” Barrymore gushed, “I love how my parenting and Ricky Stanicky like, come together.” The Daddy’s Home star took the opportunity to expound on his beliefs on being truthful and appropriately delivering his truths, telling Barrymore, “One of my core values is honesty and it’s amazing you say that.”

Cena continued, “This is a phrase you hear a lot: ‘I’m just one of those people with no filter.’ That’s something that’s kind of touchy.” He explained, “I believe in honesty, but I also believe in knowing the room and I also try to practice empathy. So I do enjoy honesty and I agree with everything you said. But honesty at the cost of not being aware of the people around you and not being empathetic, sometimes that can be counterproductive.” Cena added, “So the truth is always the best way. But you, you also got to know the room you’re working with.”

A Candid Conversation on Being Child-Free

While Barrymore shares two daughters, Olive, 11, and Frankie, 9, with her ex-husband Will Kopelman, Cena has chosen to live a child-free life. During a prior appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2022, the pair chatted about Cena’s dedication to his young fanbase and his stance on becoming a parent himself.

The beloved entertainer, who’s the most requested celebrity by kids in the Make-a-Wish Foundation, shared his perspective on loving kids but not wanting to have his own. Cena began, “I really enjoy my life. I have been riding a lightning bolt for quite some time now. I have been given opportunities to do and see things that man, I didn’t even dream of, and I had some pretty lofty dreams.”

The star continued to explain how his busy schedule stretches him thin as is. “It’s hard work. It’s hard work to balance the time,” Cena said. “I need to run myself correctly. It’s hard work to be the best partner and husband I can be to my loving wife. It’s hard to keep connections with those in my life who I love, and it’s also hard to put in an honest day’s work,” he candidly shared.

The Peacemaker star continued, “This is just my perspective, again, totally not qualified, but I think just because you might be good at something is not a strong enough reason to do that.” Woof, say that again for the people in the back. Cena added, “You have to have passion for it. You have to have a fuel for it. It’s like saying to somebody, ‘Hey, you’re pretty good with your hands, you’d be a great carpenter.’ But if I want to be an actor, I’ll be an actor.”

The actor passionately continued, “Just to say to somebody, ‘You have a great interaction with young people,’ that’s flattering. I still am flipped, and the reason I love Make-a-Wish so much is because those are those families’ wishes. It’s like, ‘Yo, you can do anything you want’ — and Make-a-Wish’s list is enormous. They literally will do anything you want — ‘I want to kick it with John Cena and go see him wrestle.’ That is the coolest thing I have ever heard in my life.”

Cena gently concluded, “But all those things considered, I love that joy, I love that connection. And that’s where I’m at right now, and it is difficult water to tread because you know, everybody’s like, ‘Well when?’ I just know not now, you know?”

The entertainment multi-hyphenate’s stance on parenthood is a totally valid one that highlights how two seemingly opposing things can be true: you can adore kids but not want to have your own — and that’s on honesty.

Before you go, check out these celebrity parents who once swore they’d never have kids.

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