Jennifer Love Hewitt, a longtime Hollywood actress, revealed the emotional toll she endured following a 2007 incident involving body shaming. Despite a successful career since childhood, the 46-year-old actress said that when photos of her in a bikini surfaced with a harsh headline, it deeply affected her sense of self. This event intensified her insecurities about her appearance, marking a significant challenge in her life.
Early Fame and the Pressure of Being a Sex Symbol
Hewitt’s rise to fame began in her teenage years with notable roles in films like I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Can’t Hardly Wait (1998), and Heartbreakers (2001). She discussed with Vulture how she was labeled a sex symbol early on, even before she fully understood what that meant for her identity.
It bothers me more now than it did at that age because I was in it,
Hewitt said.
Before I even knew what sex was, I was a sex symbol. I still don’t know that I have that fully defined for myself because it started so weird.
The 2007 Hawaii Bikini Photos That Sparked Body Shaming
During a vacation in Hawaii with then-fiancé Ross McCall, candid photos captured Hewitt in a carefree moment by the ocean. She was singing a playful song about snacks and doing a silly dance. However, when these images were published with the headline “Stop Calling Me Fat!”, the portrayal was hurtful and changed her outlook on her body.
I was having the time of my life,
she recalled.
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.
The moment left Hewitt feeling devastated, as the headline unfairly framed her mental and emotional state. She admitted,
I don’t think I was ever really insecure until that cover,
and went on to say
And then when it happened, I don’t know that I’ve ever recovered from it. Because there’s a part of me that’s always like, ‘Is this version going to be good enough, or is that going to happen again?’ Where somebody’s going to be like, ‘Hey, this is her without makeup at the cleaners. She looks 59.’
Understanding the Depth of Her Insecurity
Reflecting on why those specific photos affected her deeply, Hewitt realized it was because they were an authentic representation of herself—unstaged and unguarded. This rawness made the criticism more painful and lingering throughout her career.
She expressed,
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.
Even during the interview, she lightened the mood by joking about a nearby snack, saying,
It’s the pretzel. The pretzel is helping,
followed by,
I think I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I was myself one time, and this is what happened.’
Support from Family and Persisting Through Criticism
After the body shaming incident, Hewitt turned to her mother for advice and encouragement. Her mother reminded her of the impossibility of pleasing everyone and encouraged her to reclaim her confidence and ownership of 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 shared.
And she said, ‘Take your power back. Belong to yourself, and don’t worry about it.’
Despite the continuous attention to her appearance, Hewitt maintained a successful acting career, demonstrating resilience across the years.
A New Chapter with 9-1-1 and Shifting Focus to Talent
Jennifer Love Hewitt credits her current role as Maddie Buckley on ABC’s series 9-1-1 with helping her move away from public focus on her looks. The character allows her to explore emotional depth and personal healing, shifting the conversation back to her abilities rather than her 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 said.
I give that to Maddie constantly.
Hewitt reflected on her career trajectory, noting this is the first time since her early work on Party of Five (1995-1999) that audiences focus more on her acting than her looks.
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.
Significance and Outlook on Overcoming Body Image Challenges
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s experience highlights the enduring impact of body shaming on mental health, especially for women in the public eye. The 2007 scandal left lasting scars, but her journey toward self-acceptance and shifting focus onto her craft signals hope. With roles like Maddie Buckley, Hewitt is reclaiming her narrative and inspiring others to prioritize talent and authenticity over appearance.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Jennifer Love Hewitt had surgery?
A. Hewitt mentioned that she only got her eyebrows microbladed. She hasn’t tried any other cosmetic procedures. She attributed any changes in her looks to her makeup and hairstyles.
Q. Was Jennifer Love Hewitt’s husband on 9-1-1?
A. Between late 2018 and early 2019, Hallisay appeared on the show 9-1-1. He played Doug Kendall, also known as Jason Bailey. This character was the abusive husband of Maddie Buckley. Maddie was 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 famous for almost 30 years, beginning with Party of Five in 1995. She still captures viewers’ attention on 9-1-1. Throughout the years, she’s faced rumors online about having had plastic surgery.
Q. Why did Jennifer Love Hewitt lose so much weight?
A. The actress enjoys workouts that help her build strength. Staying strong for her children is her top priority. She focuses on eating nutritious and healthy foods.
