Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt recently opened up about her experience as a teen idol in the 1990s, revealing she was largely unaware of being portrayed as a sex symbol during her early career.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine, Hewitt, now 45, reflected on her rise to fame following her breakthrough role in "Party of Five" and subsequent starring role in "I Know What You Did Last Summer."
"I didn't really know what was happening," Hewitt shared. "I was pretty innocent and didn't really know anything about my sexuality, yet I was on the cover of Maxim. I just went with it." The actress recalled how photo shoot outfits became increasingly revealing, causing concern for her family members.
Drawing parallels to Britney Spears' experience, Hewitt discussed the inappropriate nature of media interviews during her youth. "The things that people were allowed to say to you in an interview was definitely wild," she noted, adding that today she would handle such situations differently.
Looking back at her younger self, Hewitt would advise: "You don't have to be sexy." She expressed how at 18, she worried about the longevity of her career, but now feels confident about her place in the industry.
Currently balancing career and family, Hewitt has become more selective about her professional choices. As a mother of three children - Autumn, 11, Atticus, 9, and Aidan, 3 - she prioritizes her family when making career decisions.
The actress continues to pursue new projects, including her recent book "Inheriting Magic" and upcoming Lifetime movie "The Holiday Junkie." She's also considering involvement in an "I Know What You Did Last Summer" reboot while developing her "Holiday Junkie" brand.
"I'm able to be a mom and this person that people have known me as for a long time, but shifting it into a way that they both come together," Hewitt reflected on her current chapter, expressing excitement about her future endeavors.
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