Jennifer Love Hewitt says she was never ‘insecure' until she was shamed for these 2007 photos
The actress, 46, was always confident in herself since stepping into Hollywood at age 10. But things shifted in 2007 after photos of her in Hawaii surfaced with the headline 'Stop Calling Me Fat!'
'I just had blind faith in myself,' Hewitt told Vulture in an interview published Friday about growing up. 'I highly recommend it.'
Advertisement
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt attends the Los Angeles premiere of 'I Know What You Did Last Summer.'
FilmMagic
The 'Ghost Whisperer' star was gutted after catching wind of the headline.
'I was having the time of my life,' Hewitt recalled. 'I had made up the dumbest song about eating snacks and playing in the ocean, and I was singing it to my boyfriend out loud, doing some weird dance move, and they got the picture and then it was on the cover.'
Advertisement
'I don't think I was ever really insecure until that cover,' she expressed to the outlet. 'And then when it happened, I don't know that I've ever recovered from it.'
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt poses in Juicy Couture.
Donato Sardella
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt arrives at the premiere of '27 Dresses' in 2007.
WireImage
The paparazzi shots permanently shifted Hewitt's mentality.
Advertisement
The 'Client List' actress detailed: 'There's a part of me that's always like, 'Is this version going to be good enough, or is that going to happen again?' Where somebody's going to be like, 'Hey, this is her without makeup at the cleaners. She looks 59.''
As for why that moment in particular was so traumatizing, Hewitt explained, 'Because that was me. I think that's why the insecurity carried on. I don't know if I've even ever put that together for myself other than right now.'
12 'People' cover on Jennifer Love Hewitt in 2007.
People
'I think I was like, 'Oh my God, I was myself one time, and this is what happened.''
Advertisement
Luckily, Hewitt's mother, Patricia Mae Hewitt, who died in 2012 after a battle with cancer, was there with words of wisdom.
'She was like, 'You don't get it. You can't win. This is just people having a problem with the version of you they think belongs to them.' And she said, 'Take your power back. Belong to yourself, and don't worry about it.''
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt attends the 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Hollywood Premiere on October 8, 1997.
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
12 Carson Daly and actress Jennifer Love Hewitt attend the 'I Still Know What You Did Last Summer' premiere.
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Hewitt also touched on becoming a sex symbol in her late teens and early 20s after starring in hits like 1997's 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' 'Can't Hardly Wait' in 1998, and 'Heartbreakers' (2001).
'It bothers me more now than it did at that age because I was in it,' Hewitt stated. 'Before I even knew what sex was, I was a sex symbol. I still don't know that I have that fully defined for myself because it started so weird.'
Now, after decades in the industry, the 'Tuxedo' alum has found a home on ABC.
12 The 'I Know What You Did last Summer' cast poses at the film's premiere.
Fred Prouser
Advertisement
Hewitt stars as Maddie Buckley on the ABC drama '9-1-1.'
'I get to be, not ugly, but raw in a way that doesn't matter. I get to put all those little things into her that maybe I didn't notice or get to pay attention to along the way and heal them,' she shared. 'I give that to Maddie constantly.'
For Hewitt, it feels like this is the first time since starring in 'Party of Five' in the '90s that people are focused on her work.
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. in 'IKWYDLS.'
©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Advertisement
'It was the work and then it was the body. And not the body of work,' she reflected. 'Now we're getting back to the work part of it.'
Along with playing the beloved 911 operator, Hewitt also stepped back into the shoes of the iconic Julie James.
She reprised her role in the new 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' 27 years after the original film debuted in 1997.
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt in 'Ghost Whisperer.'
©CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection
Advertisement
Hewitt stepped out for the sequel's premiere at LA's United Theater on Broadway on Monday.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr., who starred in the original project together, turned the premiere into date night.
Prinze Jr., 49, reprises his role as Ray Bronson in the sequel. Gellar, 48, played Helen Shivers, who died in the original movie.
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt in the Lifetime series 'The Client List.'
©Lifetime Television/Courtesy Everett Collection
Advertisement
Despite both being on the carpet, Hewitt and Gellar didn't pose for pictures together.
'For everyone asking — I never got to see @jenniferlovehewitt, who is fantastic in the movie. I was inside with my kids when the big carpet happened. And unfortunately, JLH didn't come to the after-party,' Gellar commented on Instagram Wednesday.
The 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' star added, 'If you have ever been to one of these, it's crazy. I sadly didn't get pics with most of the cast. But that doesn't change how amazing I think they all are. Unfortunately, some things happen only in real life and not online.'
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt in a scene from 'I Know What You Did Last Summer.'
AP
12 Jennifer Love Hewitt in '9-1-1.'
©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
For her part, Hewitt also shut down rumors of bad blood between the two.
'I haven't seen Sarah,' she told Vulture. 'Literally, we've not talked since I saw her at 18 years old when the first movie came out. That's why it's so funny to me. People were like, 'Say something back.' And I'm like, 'What am I going to say? I've not seen her.' On my side, we're good. I have no idea where this is coming from.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
23 minutes ago
- New York Post
The beauty of Bill Joel? Unlike with so many stars, there's no myth-building
Normally, if you see someone's four wives all speaking about them on TV, it's a safe bet you're watching a 'Dateline' murder mystery. So it's astonishing to witness all three of Billy Joel's exes appear as well as his current wife in the documentary 'And So It Goes,' the second episode of which premieres Friday at 8 p.m. on HBO. Heck, even his former bandmate Jon Small is a frequent voice in the film. Small was married to Elizabeth Weber when the Piano Man and Weber fell in love. Advertisement The fallout from that triangle led Joel to attempt suicide, and he says he felt like a 'homewrecker.' But Small 'finally got over it' — and even went on to direct the music video for 'Uptown Girl.' 8 Last summer, Billy Joel ended his long running residency at Madison Square Garden. Getty Images I cannot account for his personal interactions and how he's still on good terms with all these people, but it says a lot about the man. Forgiveness is complicated. Advertisement And so is self-examination. But Joel, who has an inherent likability, seems to be well-practiced in the art. Not that he didn't give the women in his life agita. Much of his marital strife was fueled by alcohol abuse, and much of that was well documented in the press over the years. 'Some of the stupid stuff I did, that's painful to talk about,' the 76-year-old recently told People magazine, adding that directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin 'asked me for some thematic guidance. I said, 'Just tell the truth.'' 8 HBO's two-part documentary 'And So It Goes' explores the life and music of Billy Joel. Advertisement What's interesting is not just his story but the way he tells it, and the way he let the filmmakers have free rein. Lacy said they were given 'complete and utter independence' by the singer-songwriter. Unlike with so many stars, there's no myth-building at play. There's no artifice. As told in the documentary, his remarkable life can be summed up by the opening anecdote. Joel, who grew up in Hicksville, Long Island, recalls working on an oyster boat as a young man. He'd look up a sprawling mansion and sneer at the 'rich bastards' who lived there. 8 In the 1980s, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley were the biggest celebrity power couple — and she was his muse. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Advertisement 'Well, I own that house now,' he said. It doesn't come off as an arrogant mic drop, but rather a 'pinch me' moment. And while he famously has a song called 'Angry Young Man,' it's the fact that he remained a man of the people that's been the key to his success. He is not, as Bruce Springsteen notes in the film, 'an angry activist man. He never directly goes there. Which is part of why the material hasn't dated.' 8 Billy Joel started taking piano lessons as a young boy in Hicksville, Long Island. Photograph by Billy Joel Archives/HBO 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood' was written when Joel and Weber were living in California — and he realized that the Empire State was a better personality fit. Relieved to be back, he literally wrote 'New York State of Mind' while on a Greyhound bus heading to Highland Falls, where Weber had found them a home. With 'Goodnight Saigon,' he wove a beautiful narrative through the tales of his friends who had returned from Vietnam. Advertisement 8 Billy Joel's first wife, Elizabeth Weber, was also his manager. She is interviewed in 'And So It Goes.' AFP via Getty Images 'Lullaby' was written for his daughter Alex Ray Joel as he was splitting with second wife Christie Brinkley. 'Piano Man' is rightfully praised in the documentary by rapper Nas as a 'mirror facing the mirror.' There's themes of love, loss and searching for his absentee father. Joel found him living in 'Vienna.' Advertisement But he has never truly told people how to think — a rarity these days. 8 Billy Joel performing in the 1970s. Photograph by Art Maillet/Sony Music Archives/HBO As critic Steven Hyden remarks in the film. 'He writes about people. Not causes or concepts.' Joel has said he knows people don't want to hear him on his soap box. Advertisement Appearing on 'Club Random,' he recently told Bill Maher he has no time for woke scolds. 8 In 2015, Joel married his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick, and the pair share two daughters, Della and Remy. Wireimage 'On the other hand, I'm always trying to find out the other point of view. What's, you know, not my point of view — somebody else's point of view,' Joel told Maher. 'OK, I'd like to understand why they think that way.' It's obvious why people connect with the guy. He's one of us, only with six Grammies and a spot in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Advertisement The father-of-three was recently diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder that causes, among other things, issues with cognition and balance. This week, he told Maher that he 'feels good' save for his balance: 'It's like being on a boat.' 8 On a recent episode of 'Club Random' Billy Joel told Bill Maher that he 'feels good' despite his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. Youtube / Club Random w/ Bill Maher He also promised that he isn't done yet. Music to my ears.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Scottie Scheffler clears the air on British Open fart-gate
The Scottie Scheffler fart-gate took a brand new twist. On the 17th hole at the British Open last Thursday, when Scheffler was chipping to the green, the broadcast feed picked up someone passing gas. While some thought a fan was the culprit, Scheffler completely changed the narrative this week. Advertisement Scheffler was featured on Barstool Sports' 'Pardon My Take' podcast and shed light on who is really to blame for the incident — himself. 'Yeah, that was me,' Scheffler admitted on the show. 'Oh yeah, that was me. 'You're out there for like six hours, you're eating some different food over there. Some stuff is going to happen. Advertisement 4 As Scottie Scheffler hit this shot at The Open Championship on Thursday, the sound of a fart could be heard. pmcdonaldCBS/X 4 Scottie Scheffler on 'Pardon My Take.' @PardonMyTake/X 'You never know with the boom mics there, you never know what they're going to pick up. I'm definitely surprised it hasn't happened more in the past picking up stuff like that. I literally didn't think anything about it then after we got inside, Xander [Schauffele] was showing me the video. He pulls up the video and I see myself standing on 17, and I'm like, 'Oh, I know what this is.'' Advertisement Now that the truth is out, the gas might've helped fuel his shot as Scheffler almost chipped it straight into the hole. Scheffler finished Thursday 3-under par and continued to ride high into the weekend before he ran away with the British Open crown, his first time winning that major. 4 Scottie Scheffler teeing off from the 16th hole at the British Open. Getty Images The chasing group behind him never got within four strokes on the final day. Scheffler, before winning the event, was the world No. 1 golfer and the betting favorite to win the Claret Jug. Advertisement 'It is a pretty special feeling,' Scheffler said after winning. 'It was a tough week; I battled hard all weekend. Today, once again, was a battle, but [I] played some really good golf. I'm fortunate to be standing here holding the trophy.' 4 Scottie Scheffler kissing the famous Claret Jug. AP The British Open now gives Scheffler the third of the four major trophies in golf, as he needs the U.S. Open to complete the career grand slam.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Artist pulls art from Smithsonian gallery after museum tries to alter her trans Statue of Liberty painting
The artist who painted former First Lady Michelle Obama's official White House portrait has pulled her latest show from a D.C. Museum this week after the space's owners wanted to alter one of her works to avoid offending President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported Thursday. Artist Amy Sherald withdrew her solo show from the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery after she was told her painting 'Trans Forming Liberty' — a depiction of the Statue of Liberty as a trans woman — may be removed by the gallery. 'I entered into this collaboration in good faith, believing that the institution shared a commitment to presenting work that reflects the full, complex truth of American life. Unfortunately, it has become clear that the conditions no longer support the integrity of the work as conceived,' Sherald said in a letter to Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch III. Sherald painted the portrait of Obama currently owned by the National Portrait Gallery. The work, which is a grayscale image of the former First Lady that features some brighter colors near the bottom of her floor-length dress, generated controversy when it was unveiled in 2018. 5 American Sublime Opening Party, Whitney Museum of American Art, Manhattan, New York, United States – 02 Apr 2025. Sansho Scott/ / Shutterstock Critics online savaged the more abstract elements of the portrait, and some ripped the work for not looking anything like Obama. Courting controversy once again, Sherald refused to have 'Trans Forming Liberty' altered or removed from her 'American Sublime' gallery that was set to debut at the museum in September. In a statement she produced Thursday that was shared with Fox News Digital, the artist said she was 'informed that concerns had been raised internally' about the work. 'These concerns led to discussions about removing the work from the exhibition,' she said. 'While no single person is to blame, it's clear that institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives played a role.' 5 Amy Sherald attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images In a separate statement obtained by The Times, Sherald said that Bunch had proposed replacing the transgender depiction with a video of people reacting to it — an idea the artist rejected. 'When I understood a video would replace the painting, I decided to cancel,' she said. 'The video would have opened up for debate the value of trans visibility and I was opposed to that being a part of the 'American Sublime' narrative.' However, a Smithsonian spokesperson disputed Sherald's account of Bunch's proposed alterations. 5 The exterior of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery June 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C. The Washington Post via Getty Images 'The video was to accompany the painting as a way to contextualize the piece, 'It was not to replace Amy Sherald's painting,' they said in a statement. When asked for comment, the Smithsonian pointed Fox News Digital to its recent statement on the matter. 'While we understand Amy's decision to withdraw her show from the National Portrait Gallery, we are disappointed that Smithsonian audiences will not have an opportunity to experience 'American Sublime,'' it read. 5 Visitors view the official portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama by Amy Sherald at The Art Institute of Chicago on June 18, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images 'Unfortunately, we could not come to an agreement with the artist. We remain appreciative and inspired by Ms. Sherald, her artwork and commitment to portraiture,' it added. Sherald's exit comes after Trump signed an executive order in March to remove leftist ideology and historical revisionism from government institutions. In the order, he called out the Smithsonian for having 'come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology.' 'This shift has promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive,' he added. 5 Amy Sherald at the Marc Jacobs 2026 Runway Show, New York Public Library, NYC, Manhattan, New York, United States – 30 Jun 2025. Jason Lowrie/ Trump also declared he would be firing the Portrait Gallery's director, Kim Sajet, for being a 'strong supporter of D.E.I.' Sajet resigned from her role in June. The White House provided Fox News Digital with a quote from Trump admin official Lindsey Halligan blasting Sherald's artwork. 'The 'Trans Forming Liberty' painting, which sought to reinterpret one of our nation's most sacred symbols through a divisive and ideological lens, fundamentally strayed from the mission and spirit of our national museums. The Statue of Liberty is not an abstract canvas for political expression — it is a revered and solemn symbol of freedom, inspiration, and national unity that defines the American spirit.' She added, 'President Trump's Executive Order mandates that such institutions serve not as platforms for ideological division, but as sources of unity, inspiration and pride of our shared history. The removal of this exhibit is a principled and necessary step toward restoring that purpose.'
