Whip It good: Drew Barrymore exclusive interview

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"I thought I would just crack"

SheKnows: We just talked about you being in the film as well. But, I would think that would help what you just mentioned -- about Whip It being a true collaboration. You've been on so many film sets and experienced a distant director or two -- Drew, you could not be more "not" distant than being in the film!

Drew Barrymore: I felt it would absolutely contribute to that camaraderie. It was also really challenging, directing is one of the biggest full-time jobs you can do in the line of work that I do and then put more on your plate like -- not just acting, but [Roller] Derby training -- at one point, I thought I would just crack. But, I also knew, I was glad I was doing it. It was all for the right reasons.

SheKnows: You have also had quite a busy 2009. To get all of this in, starring in Grey Gardens, He's Just Not That Into You and directing Whip It, first -- congratulations on the Golden Globe for Grey Gardens…

Drew Barrymore: Thank you! Thank you so much. It is so amazing to be seeing things in 2010 that came from 2009 (laughs). I'm so grateful, I am so grateful.

SheKnows: The Golden Globe win for the fantastic Grey Gardens, that's another that carries into 2010.

Drew Barrymore: It's so amazing. You work so hard on things for so many years. They happen kind of quickly. For anything to be elongated is just so delicious. You put years of your life into something, you're like fantastic if it's staying around for a while. It's such a good thing. It's great to be appreciated (laughs). At least, that's how I feel (laughs).

SheKnows: Well, you are in this house, also being one of my wife's favorite actresses.

Drew Barrymore: Oh my God, thank you. Please tell her thank you! Grey Gardens was terrifying. I really wanted to be scared and do something that I didn't know I could do, like directing! I wanted to be very disciplined and dedicate myself and give every bit of focus that I have. I had to put a lot of things on the back burner to give everything to them. I'm so much happier that I did because there's nothing more sickening than feeling like you didn't give a 1000-percent. The fear was terrifying and I probably did intestinal damage…

We both laugh for moments…

Barrymore's 2009 for the ages

Drew Barrymore (continuing): (Laughs) But, I'm glad I did it.

SheKnows: You have appeared in so many films with some of the greatest directors of our time. Did you consult any of them…

Drew Barrymore: Absolutely! I definitely did. I'm glad you asked. I have a great network, a great group of friends and a lot of them happen to be directors. So, I was picking their brains, left, right and center. But, I think it's still important to be in touch with your gut instinct.

SheKnows: My goodness, yes.

Drew Barrymore: You don't want to rely on what everybody says. But, you need good barometers around you to inform your own decisions. Yeah, I love, love, love getting everybody's opinion and at the end of the day, I want to be in touch and confident enough and passionate enough to know what I'm trying to convey and let all of that get in the blender and go my with my gut (laughs).

Read on for more Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore dishes He's Just Not That Into You
Drew dishes Grey Gardens
Drew Barrymore astounds in Grey Gardens