Drew Barrymore steps down as MTV Awards show host in support of striking writers

Drew Barrymore has announced that she will no longer host Sunday's MTV Movie & TV Awards, to show support and solidarity to the striking members of the Writers Guild of America. But she has also agreed to return and host the 2024 show.

The event, being held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, will still continue, but without a host, red carpet or talent interviews before the show. According to Variety, producers are now waiting to see which presenters, nominees and guests will appear on the telecast.

“I have listened to the writers, and in order to truly respect them, I will pivot from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards live in solidarity with the strike,” Barrymore, 48, said in a statement. “Everything we celebrate and honor about movies and television is born out of their creation. And until a solution is reached, I am choosing to wait but I’ll be watching from home and hope you will join me. I thank MTV, who has truly been some of the best partners I have ever worked with. And I can’t wait to be a part of this next year, when I can truly celebrate everything that MTV has created, which is a show that allows fans to choose who the awards go to and is truly inclusive.​”

Bruce Gillmer, president of music, music talent, programming and events at Paramount Global, and an executive producer of the MTV Movie & TV Awards, told Variety that Barrymore was an "incredible" host.  

He added, "She is not surprisingly, standing in solidarity with the writers, which we have full respect for. She has our full support."