Jennifer Love Hewitt Confronts Ageism in Hollywood Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt recently addressed the challenges of aging in the entertainment industry during an appearance on the Inside of You podcast with Michael Rosenbaum. At 44, she candidly discussed the scrutiny she faces over her appearance, noting that critics often have something to say regardless of her actions.
Social Media Backlash Over a Simple Selfie Hewitt sparked online debate after posting a makeup-free selfie showcasing her new darker hairstyle. To enhance the salon’s lighting, she applied a light filter. However, the internet quickly reacted, labeling her “unrecognizable” and accusing her of using filters to mask her natural appearance.
“I had just gotten my hair done and wasn’t wearing any makeup,” Hewitt explained. “I used a simple filter because the lighting wasn’t great. I didn’t think twice about it.”
Jennifer Love Hewitt at the premiere of “27 Dresses”, Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Responding with Humor In response to the criticism, Hewitt decided to inject humor into the situation. She posted a series of exaggerated, over-the-top filtered photos, captioning them “All natural, no filter,” to mock the backlash. Despite her lighthearted approach, the negative comments persisted.
“Then they came after me for that,” she said. “People were saying, ‘Now she’s just trying to defend herself.’ That’s when I realized, no matter what I do, someone will have a problem with it.”
The Emotional Impact When asked why she allows negative comments to affect her, Hewitt responded honestly: “Because pretending they don’t bother me would be a lie.”
Despite the criticism, she acknowledged the support from many followers. “The truth is, most people are really kind to me,” she said. “They’ve grown up with me. They’re experiencing aging just like I am.”
Jennifer Love Hewitt sporting shorter hair and wearing bracelets, Photo Credit: jenniferlovehewitt/Instagram
Concern for the Next Generation Hewitt expressed particular concern about the impact of such negativity on young girls, including her 10-year-old daughter, Autumn. “It’s hurtful to tell women they have to look 22 forever because people don’t know how to process aging,” she noted.
Embracing Her Age Reflecting on her journey, Hewitt stated, “I’m 44, and this is what I look like.” She admitted that, despite being labeled a sex symbol early in her career, she struggled with confidence in her younger years. “At 23, 24, 25, I didn’t feel self-assured,” she shared. “I felt like I was constantly being watched, like I had to live up to expectations.”
