As a prominent young talent in Hollywood during the 1990s, Jennifer Love Hewitt appeared destined to establish herself as a distinguished actress, delivering commendable performances well into adulthood.
However, in 2015, the leading actress of the popular television series Ghost Whisperer, who had captured the attention of tabloids as the quintessential “it girl,” abruptly withdrew from the public eye, prompting fans to ponder the reasons for her sudden absence.
It is certainly accurate to assert that Jennifer Love Hewitt emerged as one of the most prominent teen stars of the 1990s. Her charm captivated many, making it difficult for anyone to resist her appeal.
In my view, her smile was exceptionally enchanting, and there was an authenticity and warmth in her demeanor that resonated with audiences.
Hewitt, now 44, began her career by featuring in various television commercials, but she truly gained recognition at the tender age of 10 with her role in the Disney Channel series Kids Incorporated, which aired from 1989 to 1991.
This program, centered around a group of young individuals performing in a rock band, served as a significant stepping stone for numerous celebrities, including Fergie from the Grammy-winning group Black Eyed Peas, Mario Lopez from Saved by the Bell and Access Hollywood, as well as Eric Balfour, known for his roles in 24 and Haven.
Hewitt herself later became a regular on the acclaimed television drama Party of Five, where she shared the screen with notable actors such as Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, and Lacy Chabert.
Following the conclusion of Party of Five after six successful seasons in 1999, Hewitt transitioned to starring in key films of the 1990s, including the teen horror series I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997 and 1998) and the teen drama Can’t Hardly Wait (1998).
In 2001, Hewitt played the role of Sigourney Weaver’s character’s daughter in the film Heartbreakers. Roger Ebert commented on her performance in his review, noting that Hewitt spent “the entire film with her treasures on display, maybe as product placement for the Wonderbra.”
Hewitt, who’s had a turbulent relationship with the media since she started filling out as a woman, said in a 2018 interview with LA Times, “It wasn’t actually until later, in the time when I took the step back, that I went “ugh.” It’s the worst–that’s not what I want to be remembered for.” She continued, “I don’t want my kid to Google me one day and see ‘She looks terrible’ or ‘She has big boobs and she’s hot.’ I don’t want that to be who I am.”
In 2002, she appeared alongside Jackie Chan in the spy comedy Tuxedo, where her attire predominantly featured coverage, frequently donning the tuxedo that possessed superpowers.
In 2005, she made her return to television by portraying Melinda Gordon, a character capable of communicating with the deceased, in the series Ghost Whisperer.
Despite not receiving critical acclaim, the show garnered a dedicated fan base. Hewitt expressed her disappointment when Ghost Whisperer was unexpectedly canceled in 2010, resulting in an unresolved storyline for its audience.
“For me, it was a total shock… I thought our next season probably would be the last, just because the show had been on for a really long time,” she said. “It’s hard to come up with new things that will keep people intrigued, but I never thought in a million years that was going to have been our last season.”
In 2012, Hewitt earned her first Golden Globe nomination for her starring role in the Client List, where she plays a single mother, who makes a living as an erotic masseuse to support her children.
During the production of Client List, Jennifer Love Hewitt, who is also a singer, encountered her first and only spouse, Brian Hallisay, who portrayed the irresponsible father of her on-screen children.
In reality, Hallisay is a devoted husband and father to three children. The couple tied the knot in 2013, welcoming their first daughter, Autumn, just days after their wedding. They subsequently welcomed a son, Atticus, in 2015, followed by another son, Aiden, in 2021.
Having dedicated herself to her career since childhood, Hewitt chose to step back from the public eye in 2015, citing the need for time to focus on her roles as a wife and mother.
“There was a lot happening in my personal life that made me feel I required some space and time to simply exist. I have truly appreciated the break, and I believe that returning to acting in recent months has positively impacted me, allowing me to view my work in the entertainment industry as significant, yet not as all-consuming as it once was.”
In her time away, Hewitt was also trying to heal from the death of her mother, who was 67 when she died of cancer in 2012, a loss she says still “feels very raw.”
In this difficult phase of her life, Jennifer opted to depart from Twitter as well. For reasons unknown, she encountered significant animosity on the platform.
Given her pregnancy, she found it challenging to cope with the pervasive negativity and hostility, leading her to make the decision to withdraw from Twitter, a move that generated considerable attention.
”Unfortunately with all the negativity people choose to send on twitter as well as threats to their own well being I’m sad to say Twitter is no longer for me,” Jennifer wrote in 2013.
Since the commencement of her career in 1989, Jennifer Love Hewitt has undergone a remarkable journey of transformation, both in terms of her physical appearance and emotional well-being.
Regrettably, she has also faced the negative aspects associated with Hollywood, including the pressures of celebrity status and the objectification perpetuated by tabloid media. Certain online platforms crossed the line, making derogatory and harsh remarks when bikini images of Jennifer were leaked, which drew attention to her weight gain. Some of these outlets made comments on her bikini photos, such as, “I know what you ate last summer.”
While Jennifer was able to cope with the harsh criticisms, she expressed concern about the potential impact of these images and headlines on other young women grappling with their body image issues.
In a powerful response, she directed a message to all the ”girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist” and instructed them to “put on a bikini, put it on, and stay strong”.
The star of Ghost Whisperer urged individuals to confidently don a bikini, maintain their strength, and accept themselves as they are. Jennifer has experienced various weight fluctuations, enlisted the assistance of personal trainers, and is committed to leading a healthy lifestyle.
Currently, she no longer focuses on the scale and does not monitor her calorie intake. The 90s icon appears healthier than ever and actively engages with her audience on social media, frequently providing updates about her life on her Instagram and Facebook profiles.
In 2020, after a three-year break, Hewitt made her return to the entertainment industry with a revitalized sense of purpose, joining the cast of the television series 9-1-1, which chronicles the experiences of first responders.
Portraying Maddie Buckley, a former nurse who transitions to a 911 operator, the series—currently in its eighth season—has provided Hewitt with an opportunity to enhance her professional image, evolving from being typecast to being recognized as a mature and accomplished actress.
“I also feel like I have new things to pull from as an actress that I didn’t have before. I think it’s so odd as actors that we, especially kid actors, which I was, we’re expected to pull from all these life experiences that so many of us haven’t had,” Hewitt told the LA Times. “I feel like I acted for a lot of years from my heart, but not really, truly understanding some of the things that I understand now.”
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 25 years since we fell in love with Jennifer Love Hewitt’s infectious smile on Party of Five!
As the mother of three, it’s great she’s found the balance between work and family life, and we look forward to seeing her in even more mature roles in the future!