Jennifer Love Hewitt looked back with pride on the July 18 premiere of the film I Know What You Did Last Summer (IKWYDLS), where she reunited with her castmates and showcased her Jennifer Love Hewitt red carpet confidence. Although initially uncertain about attending, Hewitt embraced the moment as a milestone in her career and personal growth.
The 46-year-old actress revealed she wrestled with questions about how she would feel standing on the red carpet surrounded by younger actors, but ultimately recognized she
“earned the right to be there.”
I had so many amazing things said about that night, and then, there were so many other things said about that night, which we don’t even need to go into,
Hewitt shared, reflecting on the mixed reactions.
I felt good. I really did. I felt good standing there in that moment. There were times where I was like, ‘Do I want to go to this premiere? Do I want to stand on this red carpet at 46 and be surrounded by all these incredibly gorgeous, young 20-something people? How is that going to feel? What’s that going to do?’ And I did. I wanted to be there.
—Jennifer Love Hewitt, Actress
Returning to an Iconic Role Among a New Cast
At the premiere of IKWYDLS, Hewitt reprised her role as Julie James, a character she originally portrayed in the slasher film. The new installment also features fresh talent such as Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon. Despite emphasizing that the spotlight rightfully belonged to her castmates, Hewitt was glad to show her support.
It felt like a full circle thing for Julie James, for Julie James fans, for me, for my kids,
she said.
My stylist, Alayna [Bell-Price], got me a beautiful dress and I left the house feeling really great. It just felt good. It felt celebratory. I was proud to be a part of it.
—Jennifer Love Hewitt, Actress
For Hewitt, this event marked a meaningful moment both as an artist and a mother, blending nostalgia with the pride of sharing this chapter with her children.
Expanding Creative Horizons Through True Crime Narration
Beyond her work in IKWYDLS and the popular ABC series 9-1-1, Hewitt is also gaining acclaim as the executive producer and narrator of the true crime series A Killer Among Friends on Investigation Discovery (ID). The show explores the emotional and psychological impact of a murder within a tight-knit group of people.
Hewitt expressed enthusiasm about the new challenge of narrating, a role that required her to convey emotion solely through her voice, distinct from her dramatic acting on 9-1-1. She viewed this as an opportunity to grow creatively while bringing important stories to a wider audience.
I’ve never had the chance to really narrate something like that before,
she said.
It was really cool to be asked. Sitting in the booth and reading these stories and trying to figure out how to rely just on your voice — the way that I normally do my face on 9-1-1 when I’m doing dramatic things — was really interesting and a new skill set to learn.
—Jennifer Love Hewitt, Actress and Executive Producer
Connecting with the Deeper Human Stories Behind True Crime
While Hewitt acknowledges the popularity of true crime, she admits it is not a genre she frequently follows, though she understands its appeal. Her series A Killer Among Friends differentiates itself by focusing on the victims’ humanity rather than sensationalism.
For me, it was the youth and innocence lost in these particular stories that I really gravitated towards,
Hewitt explained.
Not that there’s not always a realness and a heart to these things, but sometimes the stories are more water cooler-based. They’re more scary. These stories, to me, really felt like the human condition and the heart condition in a way that true crime hasn’t before.
—Jennifer Love Hewitt, Actress and Narrator
New episodes of A Killer Among Friends air on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT on ID and are also available for streaming on HBO Max.
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Continued Impact in Entertainment
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s experience at the IKWYDLS premiere highlighted her enduring presence in Hollywood and her confidence in embracing new roles, both on screen and behind the microphone. Her ability to balance nostalgia, creative evolution, and support for emerging talent reflects her passionate and optimistic approach to her career.
This blend of reflection and growth suggests Hewitt will continue to take on diverse projects that challenge her and resonate with audiences, reinforcing her status as a respected actress, producer, and narrator.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Jennifer Love Hewitt’s husband in 9-1-1?
A. Between late 2018 and early 2019, Hallisay appeared frequently 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. Maddie Buckley was acted by Hallisay’s real-life wife, Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Q. How old was Jennifer Love Hewitt when she had her first baby?
A. She had her first baby, a girl named Autumn James Hallisay, on November 26, 2013, in Los Angeles, California. The child’s father is her husband, Brian Hallisay.
Q. Why did Jennifer Love Hewitt name all her kids James?
A. “Autumn and Atticus have the middle name James, which comes from Brian’s grandfather,” she explained. “We liked the idea of them having matching initials and middle name.”
Q. Why do Jennifer Love Hewitt’s kids have the same middle name?
A. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brian Hallisay have a daughter named Autumn, born on November 26, 2013. They also have two sons. Atticus was born on June 24, 2015, and Aidan was born in September 2021. Each of their three children shares the middle name James to honor Hallisay’s grandfather.
