As one of Hollywood’s hottest young stars of the 1990s, Jennifer Love Hewitt was poised to become a celebrated actor with respectable adult performances for decades to come.
But in 2015, the star of the hit TV show Ghost Whisperer, the “it girl” who tabloids loved, ghosted Hollywood, leaving fans speculating on the reason behind her disappearance.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Jennifer Love Hewitt was one of the biggest teen stars of the nineties. I mean, who didn’t fall for Jennifer Love’s Hewitt?
According to me, she possessed the most captivating smile, and there was something truly heartwarming and genuine about her presence.
After appearing in several TV commercials, Hewitt, now 44, had her big break when she was only 10 with the Disney Channel’s Kids Incorporated (1989 to 1991).
The show, about young people who perform in a rock band, served as a launching pad for many celebrities, like Fergie of the Grammy-winning band Black Eyed Peas, Mario Lopez, of Saved by the Bell and Access Hollywood, And Eric Balfour who had starring roles in 24 and Haven.
Of course, also Hewitt, who was later cast as a regular on the popular TV drama Party of Five, where she starred with an ensemble cast of Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, and Lacy Chabert.
When Party of Five ended after six seasons in 1999, Hewitt then went on to star in touchstone films of the 1990s like the teen horror franchise I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997 and 1998) and the teen drama Can’t Hardly Wait (1998).
In 2001, Hewitt starred as the daughter of Sigourney Weaver’s character in the film Heartbreakers, an appearance that Roger Ebert critiqued in his review as Hewitt spending “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 co-starred with Jackie Chan in the spy parody Tuxedo, where she was mostly covered up, oftentimes wearing the superpower-holding tuxedo.
Returning to TV in 2005, she played Melinda Gordon, a woman who communicates with the dead, in Ghost Whisperer.
Though the show failed to earn the respect of critics, it still had a loyal following. Hewitt said she was crushed when Ghost Whisperer was abruptly canceled in 2010, leaving viewers hanging.
“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.
While filming Client List, Hewitt, also a singer, met her first and only husband, Brian Hallisay, who in the show plays the deadbeat dad to her on-screen children.
In real life, Hallisay is a great husband and father of three. The two married in 2013 and had their first daughter, Autumn, days after they wed. The pair then had Atticus in 2015, and Aiden in 2021.
Having worked tirelessly since she was a child, Hewitt slipped away from the spotlight in 2015, explaining that she needed time to be a wife and mother.
“There was a lot going on in my own life that just felt like I needed some space and some time to kind of be. I’ve really enjoyed the break, and I feel like now, the last few months, having gone back into acting, it’s really done a beautiful thing for me in that it’s made everything that I do in my acting/entertainment life not less important but less like, ‘It’s everything all the time,’ like it used to be.”
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.”
During this challenging period in her life, Jennifer made the decision to leave Twitter as well. For some reason, she faced a great deal of hate on the platform.
Being pregnant, she couldn’t handle all the negativity and hostility, so she chose to step away from Twitter, which caused quite a stir.
”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 starting her career in 1989, Jennifer Love Hewitt has embarked on an incredible transformation journey, both physically and emotionally.
Unfortunately, she has also experienced the downsides of Hollywood, celebrity status, and objectification by tabloids. Some online media outlets went too far and made some really derogatory and harsh comments when bikini photos of Jennifer were leaked, highlighting her weight gain. Some of these outlets commented on her bikini pictures, saying things like “I know what you ate last summer.”
Jennifer could handle the tough comments, but she worried about how the pictures and headlines were impacting other girls struggling with their body image.
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 Ghost Whisperer star encouraged them to proudly wear a bikini, stay strong, and embrace themselves as they are. Jennifer has gone through several weight journeys, sought the help of personal trainers, and strives to live a healthy lifestyle.
Today, she “never looks at the scale” and she doesn’t count calories. The 90’s star looks healthier than ever and remains active on social media and regularly shares updates about herself on her Instagram and Facebook accounts.
In 2020, following a three-year hiatus, Hewitt returned to work with “renewed energy and vigor,” appearing in the TV series 9-1-1, that follows the lives of first responders.
Starring as Maddie Buckley, a former nurse turned 911 operator, the show–now in its eighth season–gave Hewitt a platform to develop her profile, from one where she was earlier typecast as a symbol, to a mature, seasoned actor.
“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!
My Teen Son Organized a Big Surprise for My New Wife’s Birthday Party, but She Suddenly Uninvited Him—Her Reason Shocked Me
My son planned a beautiful surprise party for my wife’s birthday, hoping to make her feel special. But just hours before the celebration, she told him not to come, and her cruel reason left me questioning everything about our marriage.
I never thought I’d find love again.
A sad man on his couch | Source: Pexels
When my first wife passed away, it felt like my world had collapsed. For years, it was just me and my son, Joey. He was quiet, thoughtful—a boy who kept his feelings tucked away. But we understood each other.
Then I met Anna.
A laughing woman | Source: Pexels
She was full of life, always talking, always laughing. She had a daughter, Lily, who was just like her—loud, confident, and impatient. They were so different from Joey and me, but I thought maybe that was a good thing. Maybe we could balance each other out.
At first, things seemed fine. Anna and Lily moved in, and we started acting like a family. But Joey was slow to adjust. He stayed quiet at dinner, barely spoke when Lily teased him, and spent more time in his room.
An arrogant woman | Source: Pexels
Anna didn’t understand.
“He barely says a word,” she said one evening. “How can we bond if he won’t even try?”
“He’s trying,” I said. “He just needs time.”
Lily groaned. “Why can’t he just act normal?”
“He is normal,” I snapped. “He’s just different from you.”
A couple arguing | Source: Pexels
Anna sighed. “We’re a family now. He needs to open up.”
I asked them to be patient. They promised they would. But they weren’t.
Lily would roll her eyes when Joey stayed quiet during family game nights. Anna would push him into conversations he wasn’t ready for. They expected him to change overnight, but that’s not how Joey worked.
Still, he wanted to belong.
A sad boy in a black hoodie | Source: Pexels
One night, Joey came into the kitchen while I was cleaning up.
“Dad?” His voice was hesitant.
I turned around. “What’s up, buddy?”
“I, um… I planned something for Anna’s birthday,” he said, shifting from foot to foot.
I smiled. “Oh yeah?”
A father talking to his son | Source: Pexels
He nodded. “I know you were just gonna do dinner. But she likes surprises. And she always talks to her friends a lot, so… I invited them too. And her family.”
I blinked. “You organized a whole party?”
Joey shrugged, looking down. “Yeah. I thought it’d make her happy.”
My chest tightened.
A smiling man | Source: Pexels
“You did all this by yourself?”
“Mostly,” he said. “I asked Lily what kind of cake Anna likes, but she just said ‘chocolate, obviously’ and walked away.” He hesitated. “I didn’t tell Anna. I wanted it to be special.”
I put a hand on his shoulder. “That’s incredible, Joey. She’s gonna love it.”
“You think so?”
A smiling man talking to his son | Source: Midjourney
“I know so.”
He let out a small breath, like he’d been holding it in. “Could you pick up flowers tomorrow? I don’t know which ones to get.”
“Of course,” I said, squeezing his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, kid.”
Joey gave me a small, almost shy smile before nodding and heading back to his room.
A smiling boy against a blue backdrop | Source: Pexels
I stood there for a long moment, my heart full. My son, who barely spoke, had planned something so thoughtful. He wanted to show Anna he cared, even when she and Lily didn’t always make him feel welcome.
I had no idea what was coming next.
A smiling man seated with his arms crossed | Source: Pexels
I stepped through the front door, the scent of fresh flowers filling the air. Joey’s surprise was set. The decorations were ready. The guests would arrive soon. I smiled, picturing Anna’s reaction—her wide-eyed joy, her laughter, the way she’d pull Joey into a hug, finally seeing how much he cared.
Then I heard her voice.
Sharp. Cold.
A startled man in glasses | Source: Midjourney
“You’re not coming to my party, Joey.”
I froze.
There was silence for a moment. Then, a soft, hesitant voice—Joey’s. “Why?”
I stepped forward quietly, staying just out of sight. My heart pounded in my chest.
A man eavesdropping | Source: Midjourney
Anna let out a short sigh, impatient. “Because you don’t fit in. You’ll just sit there looking uncomfortable, and I don’t want to deal with that. Not in front of my family.”
My fingers tightened around the flowers.
“I—I can talk to people,” Joey said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I was going to try.”
A concerned teenage boy | Source: Freepik
Anna laughed like he had said something ridiculous. “Please, Joey. You barely talk to us. You think you’re suddenly going to be chatty and charming in front of a room full of people? That’s what your dad was talking about, right? I heard him.”
“I’ll do my best,” Joey said quickly.
“You always say that,” Anna replied. “But it’s never enough. Look, just stay home. It’s not a big deal.”
Not a big deal.
A woman in a red sweater holding her finger up | Source: Pexels
I clenched my jaw, rage rising in my chest. Then she said the words that made my blood run cold.
“I don’t even know why you want to be there. I’m not your mom.”
Silence.
Then, Lily snickered. “Yeah, Joey. It’s not like you’re really family.”
A woman with an evil snicker | Source: Midjourney
Joey didn’t respond. I could picture his face falling, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes cast downward like he was trying to disappear.
Something inside me snapped.
I stepped into the room. “Joey. Lily. Go to your rooms.”
An angry man | Source: Pexels
They all turned to look at me. Anna’s face paled. Joey hesitated, glancing at me, then at Anna. He swallowed hard and walked away without a word. Lily followed, less eager but smart enough not to argue.
Now it was just us.
Anna tried to force a smile. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?”
I took a slow breath, gripping the flowers so tightly the stems nearly snapped. “Joey planned the entire celebration.”
An angry man holding flowers | Source: Midjourney
Her mouth opened slightly.
“He invited everyone. He organized everything. He wanted to show you how much he cares about you. This was his gift to you.”
She blinked. “I—I didn’t know.”
“No, you didn’t,” I said coldly. “Because you never took the time to know him. You never listened. You never gave him a chance.”
A serious man in his living room | Source: Midjourney
Anna shook her head, flustered. “I was just—”
“You were just making sure your night was perfect,” I interrupted. “And you threw away the best part of it.”
She crossed her arms, defensive. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“But you said it anyway,” I shot back. “You made my son feel like an outsider in his own home. And I won’t let that happen again.”
A man arguing with his wife | Source: Midjourney
She frowned. “So what? You’re mad because I told the truth? Joey’s quiet. He’s awkward. It’s not my fault he doesn’t fit in.”
I stared at her, my anger shifting into something sharper. Colder.
“You don’t deserve him,” I said, my voice low.
Anna’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
A shocked woman | Source: Freepik
For the first time, she looked nervous. “Look, let’s just calm down. We can talk about this later. The party’s in an hour—”
“There is no party,” I said. “Not for you. Not in this house.”
She scoffed. “You’re not serious.”
I met her gaze. “You need to leave.”
Anna’s jaw dropped.
A shocked woman in a red sweater | Source: Pexels
“You don’t get to humiliate my son and stay in this house like nothing happened,” I said. “Pack your things. You’re done here.”
Her face twisted with anger. “So you’re throwing me out over this? Over a stupid misunderstanding?”
“This wasn’t a misunderstanding,” I said firmly. “This was you showing me exactly who you are.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it, searching for an argument. But there was nothing left to say.
“You’re making a huge mistake,” she muttered.
A frowning woman with her arms crossed | Source: Pexels
I didn’t even look at her. “No. I’m finally fixing one.”
She let out a frustrated huff and stormed off toward the bedroom. I stood there, the flowers still in my hand, listening to her slam drawers and shove things into a suitcase.
When she came back out, Lily stood at the top of the stairs, watching. Anna paused in the doorway, gripping the handle of her suitcase.
“You’ll regret this,” she said bitterly.
An angry woman with a suitcase | Source: Midjourney
I didn’t respond. With one last glare, she turned and walked out the door. The house was silent.
Then, a soft voice. “Dad?”
I turned. Joey stood at the bottom of the stairs, his face unreadable.
“Did I do something wrong?” he asked quietly.
My chest ached. I set the flowers down on the table and walked over to him.
A bouguet of flowers on a table | Source: Freepik
“No, buddy,” I said gently. “You did everything right.”
His shoulders slumped. “But she—”
“She didn’t deserve your kindness,” I said. “But that doesn’t mean it was wrong for you to give it.”
He swallowed hard, his lip quivering. I put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. “I’m so proud of you, Joey. You hear me?”
A father talking to his son | Source: Midjourney
He gave a small nod. I pulled him into a tight hug, holding on just a little longer than usual.
“You and me, kid,” I murmured. “That’s all we need.”
He nodded against my chest, his small fingers clutching the back of my shirt.
And for the first time in a long time, I knew we were going to be okay.
A smiling man lifting his sunglasses from his face | Source: Pexels
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided as “is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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