Jennifer Love Hewitt discusses overcoming early 2000s body-shaming, calling her return to the reboot a "healing" experience.
Jennifer Love Hewitt spoke candidly about enduring body shaming during her early career in the 2000s, revealing that the experience still deeply affects her today. In an interview with Vulture, the actress, known for her role in I Know What You Did Last Summer, described how the harsh misogynistic treatment from both the media and the public left lasting scars.
Facing Sexism and Paparazzi Harassment as a Teen Star
Hewitt, who rose to fame as Julia James in the 1997 film, shared how her adolescence was marked by sexualization and intense scrutiny. She recalled confronting predatory paparazzi behavior and the broader culture of sexist media coverage. Watching the documentary Framing Britney Spears triggered memories of her own struggles, prompting her to say,
“When I started watching it, I was like, ‘Oh, they talked to me like that.’ I started crying for her. And then I realized I was crying for me,”
according to her interview with Vulture.
The Impact of Being Labeled a Young Sex Symbol
Hewitt reflected on being sexualized before even understanding what sex was, stating,
“Before I even knew what sex was, I was a sex symbol.”
This label subjected her and other young actresses to undue criticism and invasive media coverage. She remembered the sudden influx of unflattering photos published without context, adding,
“All of a sudden, the pictures were of actresses stumbling out of clubs drunk. It was them at the grocery store looking terrible. It opened this very scary door.”
The Pivotal Moment That Shaped Her Insecurity
One distressing event stuck with Hewitt: holiday photos of her were printed under a headline reading “Don’t Call Me Fat.” She explained,
“I was having the time of my life … and they got the picture and then it was on the cover. 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.”
This public body shaming significantly affected her mental well-being and self-image.
Struggling to Be Taken Seriously Beyond Appearance
Although Hewitt expressed sympathy for those who might not have realized the harm they caused, she was frustrated by the lack of recognition for her talent. She stated,
Image of: Jennifer Love Hewitt
“I worked hard on [I Know What You Did Last Summer]. I brought good stuff to it, and no one was talking about it. It was just ‘Boob, boob, boob’ everywhere,”
referencing the disproportionate attention paid to the revealing blue top she wore in the movie.
Commenting on her first reaction to the costume, she said,
“I remember seeing the top for the first time, and I was like, ‘This is a small shirt. What’s happening here? We’re just going to let it fly? OK, great,
”
and added,
“Here we go. Running again. There they go. Bouncy bounce.”
Attempting to Shift the Narrative Around Her Image
In an effort to reclaim control over public conversations about her body, Hewitt wore a T-shirt labeled “silicone-free,” but admitted that her gesture was largely ignored. She explained her desire to focus on her acting abilities, confessing,
“I really wanted to be a good actor, and I was trying to give to the people watching. I was trying to outact the conversation around my body.”
Finding Healing Through Reconnecting with Her Career
Despite the painful memories tied to her youth, Hewitt described returning to work on the reboot of her early projects as a form of healing. She joked about the renewed focus on her professional work rather than her physical appearance, saying,
“Nobody’s going to be talking about my boobs,”
and quipped,
“Oh, you want me to flash you? They’re down here.”
The Lasting Effects of 2000s Body Shaming Culture
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s reflection on her experience with body shaming during the 2000s highlights the damaging environment young actresses once faced from media and public scrutiny. While her vulnerability sheds light on ongoing issues of misogyny in Hollywood, it also points to a growing awareness of the importance of respecting performers for their talents rather than their appearances. Hewitt’s courage in addressing these challenges may encourage others to confront and heal from similar experiences as the industry evolves.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Jennifer Love Hewitt had surgery?
A. Hewitt mentioned she only got her eyebrows microbladed. She didn’t have any other cosmetic procedures done. She explained that makeup and hairstyles are why her look has changed.
Q. Was Jennifer Love Hewitt’s husband in 9-1-1?
A. Between late 2018 and early 2019, Hallisay appeared often on the show 9-1-1. He portrayed Doug Kendall, also known as Jason Bailey, the abusive spouse of Maddie Buckley. Maddie is played by Hallisay’s actual wife, Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Q. Did Jennifer Love Hewitt have surgery?
A. It’s unclear if Jennifer Love Hewitt had cosmetic surgery, but she recently clarified on her Instagram Stories. She explained that her look changed because of a new haircut. She also mentioned that she only had her eyebrows microbladed.
