Jennifer Love Hewitt, widely recognized as an actress, revealed in a 2002 interview with Billboard that singing is an essential part of her identity. She described her connection to music as something intrinsic, saying,
“It’s my spirit. I feel alive when I do it. I love acting, but it came unexpected in my life. Singing has always been a part of me.”
Despite her success in television and film, music has always been a central passion for Hewitt.
Early Musical Beginnings and Initial Chart Success
Long before Jennifer Love Hewitt rose to fame for her role on Fox’s Party of Five starting in 1995, she had already experienced chart success as a backing vocalist. At just age 10, Hewitt contributed to Martika’s hit single “Toy Soldiers,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed at the top for two weeks in July 1989. Notably, fellow artist Fergie also sang on this track, with all of them previously appearing on the Disney Channel’s Kids Incorporated.
In the early 1990s, Hewitt released two albums: Love Songs in 1992, which featured a co-write from Debbie Gibson and a cover of ABBA’s classic “Dancing Queen,” and a self-titled album in 1996. These efforts laid the groundwork for her future in music, though her acting career was simultaneously taking shape.
The Impact of the ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Franchise on Hewitt’s Music Career
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s breakthrough in music under her own name coincided with the success of the horror film franchise I Know What You Did Last Summer. The original 1997 movie, which starred Hewitt as Julie James alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Ryan Phillippe, earned $73 million at the box office. Its soundtrack captured the ‘90s rock spirit, featuring bands like Korn, Soul Asylum, and Toad the Wet Sprocket, but did not include Hewitt’s own music.
The true musical spotlight for Hewitt came with the 1998 sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, which introduced her single “How Do I Deal” on its soundtrack. The track made its debut on the Billboard Pop Airplay chart dated January 23, 1999, later peaking at No. 36, marking her first Hot 100 hit as a lead artist apart from “Toy Soldiers.” This song firmly established her as a recording artist recognized by the industry and fans alike.
Competition and Musical Landscape of the Late 1990s
The release of “How Do I Deal” coincided with strong competition on the charts, especially from Brandy, who topped the Hot 100 with her hit “Have You Ever.” At that time, Brandy was riding the success of “The Boy Is Mine,” which had dominated the charts for 13 weeks in 1998 and was crowned one of the top summer songs of the year. This vibrant late ‘90s pop environment provided a challenging but exciting backdrop for Hewitt’s emergence as a singer.
In addition to her solo work, Hewitt appeared in music videos for other popular artists including LFO’s “Girl on TV,” which reached No. 10 on the Hot 100 in 1999, and Enrique Iglesias’ “Hero,” which climbed to No. 3 in 2001, illustrating her ongoing involvement with music throughout her acting career.
Continued Music Endeavors and 2002 Album Release
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s music career advanced further with the release of her 2002 album Barenaked. Produced under Jive Records, the album charted at No. 37 on the Billboard 200 in October 2002. The title track, co-written by Hewitt and Meredith Brooks—a celebrated artist who had reached No. 2 on the Hot 100 in 1997 with her hit “Bitch”—achieved moderate airplay, reaching No. 31 on Adult Pop Airplay and No. 35 on Pop Airplay charts.
To date, Barenaked has sold over 100,000 copies in the U.S., according to data from Luminate. In an insightful July 2002 review, Billboard’s Chuck Taylor described the title track as
“a natural fit for the radio class of 2002, with its acoustic, guitar-etched backdrop, catchy melody and savvy production,”
while praising its lyrics as
“smart, colorful commentary on staying above water when life trips you up.”
Taylor also highlighted “How Do I Deal” as “a hidden treasure.”
Hewitt’s Commitment to Authenticity in Her Music
Jennifer Love Hewitt co-wrote most of the songs on Barenaked, choosing an organic approach over producing a mainstream pop album with outside writers. She shared with Billboard,
“Most people don’t know I’ve been in music for a long time. I feel as though I have been searching for 14 years to find this record. It’s very organic. It would have gone a lot easier and faster had I made a strict pop album with someone else writing all the music and lyrics. But I wanted to challenge myself.”
She also spoke deeply about her relationship with Meredith Brooks, calling her
“someone I could pour my heart out to. I found a kindred spirit with her, somebody that I could completely relate to, someone that shared every good and bad day I had.”
This bond was crucial in shaping the emotional depth of the album’s content.
Promoting the Album and Audience Reception
Barenaked’s release was supported by a focused promotional campaign, including radio tours. Joe Riccitelli, then vice president of pop promotion at Jive Records, reflected on Hewitt’s marketing journey:
“Initially, I would have said our biggest marketing asset was Jennifer’s positioning as an actress and movie star. Now, it’s just Jennifer being Jennifer. Every place we went, every person we met saw her in a new light, and they liked what they saw.”
This signaled a transformation in how Hewitt was perceived—less as a celebrity actress dabbling in music and more as a credible artist in her own right.
Legacy of ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ and Hewitt’s Ongoing Career
Decades after the original I Know What You Did Last Summer captivated audiences, the franchise’s title continued influencing the music charts with a 2016 duet by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello. Their song reached No. 10 on Pop Airplay and No. 20 on the Hot 100, showing the enduring cultural relevance of the title phrase.
Jennifer Love Hewitt herself has remained active in acting, starring in Fox’s series 9-1-1 since 2018. Recently, she reflected on the legacy of the franchise and its new reboot, which premiered on July 18, emphasizing a message of empowerment and age-defying strength.
“Where other parts of society try to go, ‘Oh, well, she’s gotten a little older, so we’ll just go get this person now,’ ‘final girls’ are ageless,”
Hewitt stated.
“It’s a good message to send: We do get better.”
This perspective highlights her determination to inspire young women through both her music and acting.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Jennifer Love Hewitt had surgery?
A. Hewitt mentioned she only got her eyebrows microbladed. She did not have any other cosmetic work done. She explained that her makeup and hairstyles were responsible for the visible changes in her look.
Q. Was Jennifer Love Hewitt’s husband in 9-1-1?
A. Between late 2018 and early 2019, Hallisay appeared frequently on 9-1-1. He played Doug Kendall, also known as Jason Bailey. His character was Maddie Buckley’s abusive husband. Interestingly, Maddie was portrayed by Hallisay’s actual wife, Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Q. Did Jennifer Love Hewitt have surgery?
A. It’s unclear if Jennifer Love Hewitt has had plastic surgery. Recently, on her Instagram Stories, she explained that her new look comes from a haircut. Hewitt also mentioned that she only had her eyebrows microbladed.
