Jennifer Love Hewitt Reflects on Sexism, Body Shaming, and Her Return to Horror
Jennifer Love Hewitt rose to fame in the late ’90s but quickly became a target of misogynistic tabloid culture. In a Vulture interview tied to her return in the 2025 I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel, she revealed she only recently processed the extent of the sexism she endured—especially after watching Framing Britney Spears.
“I started crying for her, and then I realized I was crying for me,” she said. “Before I even knew what sex was, I was a sex symbol.”
Hewitt recalled being judged more for her body than her acting, saying no one talked about her performance—just her chest. “It was just ‘boob, boob, boob’ everywhere.” She tried pushing back, even wearing a “Silicone-free” shirt at a junket, but felt ignored.
A low point came in 2007 when People published paparazzi photos of her in a bikini with the headline: “Stop Calling Me Fat!” She admitted, “I don’t think I was ever really insecure until that cover… I don’t know if I’ve ever recovered from it.”
Her return in the 2025 sequel felt “healing.” This time, she had input on wardrobe and could shift focus to her performance—not her appearance. “Nobody’s going to be talking about my boobs,” she said.
Despite speculation of a feud with co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar, Hewitt clarified they haven’t spoken since the original film’s release but there’s no bad blood. Gellar later confirmed they didn’t cross paths at the premiere.
Hewitt, now 46, has been praised for embracing aging naturally. Though she faced body shaming after the premiere, fans defended her. She’s opted for a balanced lifestyle, prioritizing strength and wellness over unrealistic Hollywood standards.
In a podcast with Mayim Bialik, she reflected on being sexualized as a teen. “There were grown men talking to me at 16 about my breasts on talk shows,” she said. “It was accepted back then—but looking back, it’s horrifying.”
Hewitt said she’s now reclaiming her power and career. “I really wanted to be a good actor. I was trying to outact the conversation around my body.”
The new I Know What You Did Last Summer, released July 18, introduces a new cast while reuniting franchise veterans Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. The story blends horror nostalgia with modern social themes—and for Hewitt, it marks not just a return, but a reclamation.