Chelsea Handler is a name that resonates with humor, wit, and a no-nonsense attitude, but beneath the surface of her bold persona lies a journey of self-discovery and growth, much of which she credits to an unexpected influence: Hollywood legend Jane Fonda. In a recent interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, Handler opened up about how Fonda played a pivotal role in shaping her mindset and helping her become the person she is today. It’s a story of friendship, accountability, and the power of honest feedback, set against the backdrop of Fonda’s infamous dance parties and Handler’s own journey through therapy.
The conversation began with Barrymore reminiscing about a particular evening when Handler had invited her to one of Jane Fonda’s legendary dance parties. These gatherings are the stuff of Hollywood lore—fun, lively, and filled with music and laughter. But for Handler, this particular night turned out to be anything but a carefree experience. Barrymore shared that Fonda had later confided in her about Handler’s behavior that evening. “She was in a grumpy mood that night,” Fonda had said, according to Barrymore. Handler, who has always embraced her sharp wit and outspoken nature, admitted that Fonda’s description of her demeanor wasn’t entirely surprising. After all, Handler has often been described as a “salty dog,” someone who speaks her mind and doesn’t sugarcoat her feelings. But what happened next was unexpected and profound.
Fonda, rather than brushing off Handler’s gruff behavior, decided to address it directly. She reached out to Handler and confronted her about how her actions that night had offended several people at the party. Handler described the conversation as mortifying, but instead of becoming defensive, she chose to listen. And what she heard had a lasting impact. “She told me I was badly behaved, and that I offended a bunch of people,” Handler recalled. It was a hard truth to hear, but Handler, who had been actively engaging in therapy, was able to process the feedback without defensiveness. “The more meaningful part of it was that she was being a sister to me by even taking the time to tell me this,” Handler said. She recognized that Fonda could have easily dismissed her or cut ties, but instead, Fonda chose to care deeply enough to address the issue head-on.
For Handler, this moment marked a turning point. Fonda’s words made her realize the kind of woman she aspired to be—someone who could take hard truths gracefully and use them as opportunities for growth. “She told me, ‘You can do much better than this. This isn’t who you are,’” Handler shared, recalling Fonda’s words. In that moment, Handler made a vow to herself: she wanted to be the kind of woman who tells other women the truth, even when it’s difficult. It’s a promise that has since guided her relationships and interactions with others. Handler’s therapy journey had equipped her with the tools to process this conversation with clarity, and those tools have, in turn, shaped her into the person she is today.
Handler reflected on the lessons she’s learned from this experience, emphasizing the importance of receiving feedback with gratitude rather than defensiveness. “The idea is that if you are defensive, you’re usually wrong, because if you’re right, you don’t have to defend yourself,” she remarked. “It only matters if it’s true. And Jane Fonda, I knew she wasn’t making this up, and when someone’s giving you something that is hard to hear, you should be in gratitude for the honesty of that.” This philosophy has become a cornerstone of her personal growth, and she now imparts this same wisdom to the women in her life. “We need each other more than we ever have,” she said, a testament to the power of female friendship and support.
Handler’s journey with therapy has been instrumental in her ability to navigate moments like the one with Fonda. Therapy has given her the tools to process difficult conversations, embrace vulnerability, and recognize the value of accountability. It’s also allowed her to see the importance of surrounding herself with people who care enough to tell her the truth, even when it’s hard to hear. “Since that conversation,” she said, she has become “a better person.” Handler’s story is a reminder that growth often comes from uncomfortable moments and that the people who challenge us the most are often the ones who help us grow the most.
In the end, Handler’s candid discussion on The Drew Barrymore Show serves as a powerful testament to the impact one person can have on another. Jane Fonda’s willingness to address Handler’s behavior, combined with Handler’s openness to feedback, created a moment of profound connection and growth. It’s a story about the transformative power of honesty, the importance of female friendships, and the ongoing journey of self-improvement. Handler’s evolution into the woman she is today is a reminder that we are never too old to learn, grow, and become better versions of ourselves—especially when we have people like Jane Fonda in our lives to guide us along the way.
