Jennifer Love Hewitt has spoken openly about the deep emotional toll that persistent body shaming has taken on her throughout her acting career. The 46-year-old actress discussed the lasting effects of a 2007 incident during a Hawaii vacation that drastically shifted how she viewed herself. Known for roles in projects like Hallmark’s The Lost Valentine, Hewitt shared her ongoing struggle with body image in a recent interview, emphasizing how the focus on her appearance often overshadowed her professional work.
In conversation with Vulture, Hewitt revealed how relentless commentary on her body detracted from her identity as an actress. The attention to her physicality was so constant that it began to erode her confidence and altered her self-perception in ways she continues to grapple with today.
Media Focus on Appearance Over Talent
Throughout much of her career, Hewitt said the media preferred to reduce her to physical features instead of acknowledging her accomplishments. She described the coverage as overwhelmingly focused on her looks rather than her skills.
“It was just, ‘Boob, boob, boob,’ everywhere,”
Hewitt said, recalling how discussions around her were dominated by commentary on her body.
“I really wanted to be a good actor, and I was trying to outact the conversation around my body.”
This pressure came to a head in 2007 during a trip to Hawaii with then-fiancé Ross McCall. Paparazzi captured candid moments of Hewitt playing in the ocean wearing a bikini, which quickly became fodder for weight-focused headlines. The photos appeared on the cover of People magazine under the headline Stop Calling Me Fat!, igniting widespread media scrutiny.
Personal Moment Captured and Misinterpreted
Hewitt recounted that the photos from Hawaii showed her in a genuinely joyful state, completely unaware of the impending backlash.
“I was having the time of my life,”
she said.
“I had made up the dumbest song about eating snacks and playing in the ocean, and I was singing it to my boyfriend out loud, doing some weird dance move, and they got the picture and then it was on the cover.”
Despite previously maintaining self-confidence amid years of public discussion about her body, Hewitt admitted this experience deeply shook her.
“I don’t think I was ever really insecure until that cover. And then when it happened, I don’t know that I’ve ever recovered from it,”
she confessed.
Her Mother’s Advice Offers New Perspective
During this dark period, Hewitt found support and wisdom from her mother, Patricia, whose guidance helped her reframe how she understood the criticism and regain control over her identity.
“She was like, ‘You don’t get it. You can’t win. This is just people having a problem with the version of you they think belongs to them,’”
Hewitt recalled.
“And she said, ‘Take your power back. Belong to yourself, and don’t worry about it.’”
The incident felt especially painful because it captured Hewitt in a moment of true happiness and self-expression, underscoring the harshness of the media’s reaction.
Because that was me, she reflected.
“I think that’s why the insecurity carried on. I don’t know if I’ve even ever put that together for myself other than right now… I think I was like, Oh my God, I was myself one time, and this is what happened.”
Hewitt also noted how the early 2000s marked a shift in media coverage, moving toward images of celebrities caught in vulnerable or unflattering situations.
“All of a sudden, the pictures were of actresses stumbling out of clubs drunk,”
she said.
“It was them at the grocery store looking terrible. It opened this very scary door.”
Using Acting Roles to Rebuild Confidence
Despite the ongoing impact of body shaming, Hewitt has found empowerment by focusing on her acting career. Her role as Maddie on the popular series 9-1-1 has allowed her to highlight her talent, with the emphasis on performance rather than physical appearance.
“I get to be, not ugly, but raw in a way that doesn’t matter. I get to put all those little things into her that maybe I didn’t notice or get to pay attention to along the way and heal them,”
she explained about the character’s complexity.
This role is significant because it marks a return to an environment where people talk about her skills rather than her body. Hewitt noted that during much of her earlier career, such as on Party of Five, the pattern was always
“the work and then it was the body.”
“It was the work and then it was the body. And not the body of work,”
she remarked.
“Now we’re getting back to the work part of it.”
Healing Through Creative Control and Self-Care
Her recent involvement in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise also contributed to her sense of empowerment. Hewitt collaborated closely with the creative team to ensure her character’s outfits emphasized style over sexualization. This included choices like vintage t-shirts, blazers, and jeans, steering clear of revealing clothing.
It was very healing, she reflected.
“Nobody’s going to be talking about my boobs. ‘Oh, you want me to flash you? They’re down here.’”
In addition to her acting work, Hewitt has drawn insight from documentaries such as Framing Britney Spears, which highlighted the intense scrutiny and invasive treatment many female celebrities face regarding their bodies and public images.
“When I started watching it, I was like, ‘Oh, they talked to me like that. Oh.’ I started crying for her. And then I realized I was crying for me,”
she shared.
Recent coverage from Daily Mail reports that Hewitt has cultivated a healthier lifestyle focused on strength training and balanced nutrition, moving away from unrealistic beauty expectations prevalent in Hollywood. While struggles with body image persist, she continues to work steadily in entertainment and raise three children with her husband, actor Brian Hallisay. Hewitt remains committed to speaking candidly about her journey with self-acceptance and healing from past criticism.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Jennifer Love Hewitt had surgery?
A. Hewitt mentioned she only tried microblading on her eyebrows. She hasn’t done any other beauty treatments. She explained that changes in her look come from her makeup and hairstyles.
Q. Was Jennifer Love Hewitt’s husband on 9-1-1?
A. Between late 2018 and early 2019, Hallisay appeared multiple times on the TV show 9-1-1. He played Doug Kendall, also known as Jason Bailey. This character was the abusive husband of Maddie Buckley, portrayed by Jennifer Love Hewitt, who is Hallisay’s wife in real life.
Q. Did Jennifer Love Hewitt have surgery?
A. Jennifer Love Hewitt has been in the spotlight for almost 30 years. She first appeared on Party of Five in 1995 and still entertains fans on 9-1-1. Throughout her career, she has faced online rumors about having plastic surgery.
Q. Why did Jennifer Love Hewitt lose so much weight?
A. The actress enjoys working out because it helps her build muscle and feel strong for her children, which is her main priority. A source mentioned that she focuses on eating nutritious foods that contribute to a healthy diet.
