Drew Barrymore looked sultry on the cover of Elle‘s August issue. The actress sat down with the publication to discuss her fresh outlook and new film. The seductive shoot that accompanies her interview was shot by Carter Smith.

Here’s how Barrymore weighed in on some hot topics:

On taking stock of where she is now: “For three years straight, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, and as of last December, I just didn’t have anything left. I’ve been so aggressive about living life to the fullest and being plugged into everything, but now I’ve ripped the plug out of the wall and put it on the floor for a while. I’m thinking about the same things as when I was 15, about spirituality and who I am, who I want to be. It’s cocoon, pupa, larva, and fuck, I’m reborn!”

On the media’s misconceptions of her: “I make movies. I have a passion. Puppies and daisies don’t accomplish anything. That’s not me at all.”

On her upcoming role in Going the Distance: “I like that it’s not a traditional romantic comedy, with the story line of, ‘Oh, I slept with this guy, but when I woke up, I found out he’s the CEO of my company, and we’re going to live happily ever after once we go through all these crazy perils. I talk shit with my girlfriends. And it can get dirty.”

On why she’s not afraid to get older: “I don’t want to be vain or fearful, and I don’t think I’ll do anything [in terms of plastic surgery], but if I want to do something, I will. From my perspective, there’s no reason to be afraid of aging, because if you age, you’re lucky! The alternative is death.”

We can’t wait to get this editorial in our database, until then you can peep the full shoot on Elle.com.

Psst…we also love this behind-the-scenes video of the shoot below.

view

Check out the recently added credits on the October cover of Marie Claire featuring Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page!