’I Was Pretty Innocent’: Jennifer Love Hewitt Gets Real About Being Dubbed A Sex Symbol At A Young Age And Reveals Advice She’d Give Her Teenage Self

by

As a movie reviewer who has seen the evolution of Hollywood stars over three decades, I must say that Jennifer Love Hewitt‘s journey is one for the books. From her humble beginnings as a supporting character on Party of Five to becoming a sex symbol at a young age, this Texas native has truly come a long way.

Jennifer Love Hewitt emerged as a prominent figure in the ’90s, initially gaining recognition as a secondary character in Season 2 of “Party of Five.” However, her fame escalated with appearances in the teen comedy “Can’t Hardly Wait” and the horror film “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” earning her the title of a rising sex symbol at a young age due to her popularity. If given the chance, the Texas-born actress admits she knows precisely what advice she would offer her younger, more innocent self.

Jennifer Love Hewitt, famously known for her role as dispatcher Maddie Han in ABC’s 9-1-1 (returning on March 6, 2025), has had a career that exudes the charming “girl next door” image. However, when she opened up to People about watching the Hulu documentary Framing Britney Spears, she admitted that she could identify with Britney Spears, as they both experienced being objectified and asked inappropriate questions at a young age due to their status as sex symbols.

The Golden Globe-nominated individual discussed their initial unawareness of being labeled a sex symbol during their early days in Hollywood, as well as reflecting on this recognition currently.

At the time, I wasn’t fully aware of what was transpiring. I was rather naive, unaware about my sexuality, and yet, I found myself on Maxim’s cover. I simply chose to go along with it. As I progressed, the outfits during photo shoots became increasingly smaller, and my brother grew more concerned, while my mom reacted with surprise, saying something like, ‘Wow, what’s going on here?’ Now, in retrospect, I realize that was quite an intense experience.

As a teenager in Hollywood, Jennifer Love Hewitt was likely guided by those in authority, and her early career experiences illustrate the difficulties young actresses often face when adults mold their images, sometimes unaware of the future repercussions. It’s easy to imagine that looking back on old photos of herself wearing revealing outfits might have caused her to question how such choices were acceptable at the time.

As a greenhorn in Hollywood, it seems that the star of “Ghost Whisperer” was merely going along with the flow without fully grasping its intricacies. Back then, when I was asked about my assets, I’d just brush off the inappropriateness of such questions without a second thought. Today, however, I understand that I have more power to decline such indelicate queries compared to my earlier days where I felt compelled to chuckle them off.

Oh, how wonderful it would be if we could journey through time and comfort our younger selves about the apprehensions of growing older! As Jennifer Love Hewitt shared with People, she’d offer her 18-year-old self advice like, “You don’t need to focus on being sexy,” along with other valuable insights.

I’d reassure her, saying she’ll definitely be around at 45, which was my biggest worry back when I was 18. At the time, it felt like an endless struggle, wondering how long things would continue. But now, at 45, I’d tell that younger self, “We’re going to make it through. We’ve got a lot more time ahead.

Jennifer Love Hewitt, the well-known actress, is very much alive at the age of 45. Alongside her ongoing role as Maddie on 9-1-1, 2025 promises to be an exceptional year for her. Her new memoir, titled Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical , is now available in bookstores. It delves into her experiences with grief, being a mother of three, and her enthusiasm for party planning. Moreover, Hewitt has transformed her Lifetime Christmas movie The Holiday Junkie into reality by establishing the 2021 Co. x Holiday Junkie brand, offering holiday greeting cards and gift items.

Not only are we excited for the revival, but it’s been confirmed that Jennifer Love Hewitt will once again embody an iconic role, this time running from a hooked serial killer – yes, we’re talking about “I Know What You Did Last Summer”. This classic horror film is getting a sequel, and the talented actress behind “Heartbreakers” has agreed to rejoin the cast. At this point, details are scarce, but we know that Freddie Prinze Jr. will return, with a plot reminiscent of 2022’s “Scream”, blending the legacy cast with a new generation. As a ’90s kid, I can hardly wait to witness Hewitt’s iconic screams and emotional portrayal of her character Julie once more!

During Jennifer Love Hewitt’s “relatively pure” teenage years, she may not have realized the impact her image had as a sex symbol. However, as an adult, she understands how those early experiences have significantly influenced her career trajectory. Even in her 40s, there’s still much more to come from Jennifer Love Hewitt. With the anticipated release of I Know What You Did Last Summer 2 on July 18, 2025, and 9-1-1 successfully running into its eighth season, it’s clear that Jennifer Love will continue to shine brightly.

Read More

2024-12-17 16:37