The real reason Jennifer Love Hewitt vanished from Hollywood

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). 

Jennifer Love Hewitt attends “The Greatest Show on Earth” 125th Edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Opening Night Performance to Benefit Variety – The Children’s Charity on April 27, 1995 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

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.

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ross McCall at the World premiere of ‘The Break-Up’ / Shutterstock

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.

Wikipedia Commons / lukeford.net

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.”

Shutterstock

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.

Jennifer Love Hewitt is seen on October 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by SMXRF/Star Max/FilmMagic)

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.

Jennifer Love Hewitt arrives at the FOX Summer TCA 2019 All-Star Party at Fox Studios on August 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)

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.

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Kenneth Choi in the Breaking Point episode in 2020 / Getty Images

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.

jenniferlovehewitt/Instagram

“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!

Robert Downey Jr. — From Prison to the Oscars — and There’s Only One Person He Should Be Thankful To

Robert Downey Jr.’s life is like a rollercoaster ride from Hollywood rebel to everyone’s favorite superhero. Despite his struggles with bad habits and the law, he bounced back with his iconic role as Iron Man. His story is all about second chances and showing that no matter how far you fall, you can always get back up, and his latest Oscar win proves it all.

Downey spent very troubled years back in the 90s.

© Bill Waterson / Alamy Stock Photo

Though it may seem like we’re discussing a character from an alternate reality, Downey experienced a tumultuous period between 1996 and 2001. His legal troubles began in 1996, and during this time, his first wife, Deborah Falconer, parted ways with him. In 1999, he found himself in court attire, appealing to a California judge for rehabilitation over imprisonment. Robert Downey Jr. — known as RDJ to his close circle — faced a three-year prison sentence amidst his ongoing struggle with personal challenges.

This episode was just one of many defining moments in the remarkable journey of Robert Downey Jr., known as Tony Stark, Iron Man, and Inmate No. P50522. Downey rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like Weird Science and The Pickup Artist,and had a high-profile relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker. However, after receiving an Oscar nomination for Chaplin in 1993, his career went downward. «Not a lot of people stood by his side,» remarked a source familiar with the situation. During this difficult period, he had only a «very small» support group, including his childhood friend Rob Lowe, who continued to believe in him.

AFP/EAST NEWS

Well, not too long ago, Robert Downey Jr. faced significant challenges that rendered him virtually unemployable. However, in 2001, his latest legal issue resulted in probation, prompting him to seek rehabilitation.

Despite his turbulent past, one thing emerged as a beacon of hope: love. In 2003, Downey encountered a transformative force that helped lift him from rock bottom and set him on a path to redemption.

Love saved him.

© robertdowneyjr / Instagram

After spending some time in jail and completing court-ordered rehab for his well-publicized bad habits, Robert faced the risk of losing his movie career. However, a pivotal role in the 2003 thriller Gothika, where he agreed to receive most of his payment after filming, marked a turning point in his life. When Susan Levin first crossed paths with Robert on the set, she wasn’t initially smitten. However, the Hollywood producer soon found herself drawn to him.

Yet her affection came with a firm condition: Robert had to choose between his personal battles and their relationship. This ultimatum proved effective, as they tied the knot in 2005 and remain together to this day. Despite the challenges, Robert and Susan have enjoyed 17 years of marital happiness, standing as one of Hollywood’s most admired couples.

Even during his Oscar speech, Robert Downey Jr. couldn’t help but express gratitude to his wife, offering a heartfelt tribute. Known for his humor, Downey Jr. kicked off his speech with jokes, quipping that he’d like to thank his «terrible childhood» and the Academy, in that particular sequence.

Amidst the laughter, he playfully acknowledged his wife, Susan Downey, thanking her with a humorous twist. «Thank my veterinarian — I meant wife — Susan Downey over there,» he jestingly remarked. Reflecting on their relationship, he credited her for rescuing him like a snarling pet and nurturing him back to life. In his eyes, her love and support were the reasons for his presence on that prestigious stage.

Downey Jr. has undeniably become the iconic Iron Man for everyone.

ROBYN BECK/AFP/East News

In 2008, Robert Downey Jr.’s career took a meteoric rise with his starring role in the summer blockbuster Iron Man. This marked the beginning of his resurgence in Hollywood. Alongside Iron Man, Downey also shined in the acclaimed comedy Tropic Thunder, earning his second Oscar nomination for his role.

However, his portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man and subsequent appearances in Marvel films, including The Avengers, established him as a pivotal figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Downey’s involvement in the Marvel universe, including reprising his role in subsequent Iron Man movies, solidified his status as a critical player for Marvel Studios. Additionally, his performances in other projects, such as the Sherlock Holmes franchise, showcased his talent and range as an actor.

Once viewed as «someone bad» due to personal struggles, Downey has since transformed his career trajectory. Now in recovery after over 15 years, studios and directors actively seek him out for his undeniable talent and professionalism. His ability to shine again has not only fueled his personal growth but has also contributed to the ongoing success of his career.

He won his first Oscar as «Best supporting actor».

ROBYN BECK/AFP/East News

Robert Downey Jr. has secured the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. His victory sheds light on the complexities of the Academy’s supporting categories, and Downey’s performance is undeniably stellar, showcasing his trademark nervy and twitchy charisma.

This triumph caps off a remarkable awards season for the star, adding to his victories at the Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice Awards, SAG Awards, and BAFTA Film Awards.

During his acceptance speech, Downey expressed gratitude to his collaborators on Oppenheimer, including director Nolan, producer Emma Thomas, and his co-stars and fellow Oscar nominees Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt. He humbly acknowledged his need for the job and praised the exceptional cast and crew assembled for the film.

Al Seib / Avalon/Photoshot/East News

Reflecting on the significance of their work, Downey emphasized the importance of the stories they choose to tell. He concluded by acknowledging how the experience had transformed him for the better, highlighting the meaningfulness of their profession and the impact of the projects they undertake.

Robert Downey Jr.’s story is truly inspiring—it proves that anyone can turn their life around and shine brightly once again with love and determination. Now, he’s not just focusing on himself; he’s also committed to helping others and making a difference in the world. Like a real superhero, he’s using his influence to do good in the world, both for people and the earth.

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