Gayle King Says She Doesn’t Like to Sleep with Underwear on Because She Likes to 'Feel the Breeze Down There’ 

Gayle King is getting real about her sleepwear (or lack thereof).

While appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show on Nov. 14, the broadcast journalist, 69, revealed why she likes to wear as little clothes as possible when she goes to bed. 

“I always sleep in a big old ratty T-shirt but I don’t like wearing underwear,” she revealed. “Because I like to feel the breeze down there. At night, I do.” 

Drew Barrymore — who once confessed that she goes commando so often that her daughters once tried to pants her as a joke — said that she's tried to instill in her kids the benefits of going without their knickers from time to time. 

“I used to say to the girls — they’ll be so horrified by this — but I was like, ‘You must let it breathe. Let’s take a breathing break,'” she recalled. “With those diapers on you all the time? Nuh-uh. We’re just gonna go on a walkabout and whatever happens happens. And yes, women should feel the breeze.” 

Barrymore, 49, shares Olive, 12, and Frankie, 10, with ex-husband Will Kopelman. 

The conversation piqued King's interest in what Barrymore does (or doesn’t) like to wear when she gets her shut-eye. 

“Here’s how I roll. If no one’s in the house, including the kids — they go and stay at their dad’s for the night — I will sleep in the nude,” Barrymore said. “I love it. I lock all the doors and I just parade around like a little jaybird.”

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But going to sleep butt naked (literally) isn’t the only part of Barrymore’s sleepy-time rituals. 

The actress, who recently took on the role of Rest’s Sleep Wellness Advocate, shared with PEOPLE the calming practices that help her get a good night’s sleep.  

“I always have a stack of reading on my nightstand, so if I have it in me, I may read a little before turning out the lights. If not, I say goodnight to all the cats and Douglas [her dog], close my eyes and am practically asleep by the time my head hits the pillow."

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King returned to Barrymore's daytime talk show after appearing alongside Valerie Bertinelli and Gillian Anderson in October.

Inspired by Pamela Anderson's commitment to going makeup-free on the red carpet, the four women filmed the segment completely barefaced. "I don't have hang-ups about taking pictures of myself without makeup, but it is different when you're on national TV," said King.