It’s been nearly 30 years since Jennifer Love Hewitt hit the red carpet for I Know What You Did Last Summer back in 1997. Well, she’s back for the latest installment in the franchise, but some people gave her a hard time for not looking like her teenage self during the original premiere.
On Monday, Jennifer attended the Los Angeles premiere of her American slasher film at The United Theater on Broadway with her cast members, including Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, Sarah Pidgeon, and Gabriette Bechtel.
The 46-year-old actor reprised her role of Julie James in the iconic thriller. Fans will also be happy to see some other members of the original cast, like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.
The character of Julie James was initially introduced to audiences in the late ’90s when Jennifer was just 18 years old.
But when photos dropped of Jennifer enjoying the event in an ankle-length, beaded black spaghetti-strap dress, she was bombarded with negative comments about her physical appearance, specifically comparing her current body shape to how they remembered her looking in her late teens and early twenties. Jennifer is now married with three children.
If you aren’t familiar with her lore or just old enough to know, Jennifer grew up to be one of America’s sweethearts. She was viewed as a teen idol when she landed the role of Sarah Reeves Merrin in Party of Five. Although she was just 16 when she joined the cast, it didn’t take long for Hollywood and the media to begin sexualizing her image. Jennifer has opened up about uncomfortable moments with TV hosts, who would openly talk about her breasts when she was a teenager.
She also reflected on being viewed as the “hot girl” in movies and automatically being thrown in the “sex symbol” category at such a young age. Jennifer had no control over the public perception that was placed upon her and her body.
And unfortunately, that sentiment still rings true, except this time, instead of highlighting her looks, now people are trying to tear her down. Some people just can’t comprehend that all of our bodies go through changes as we get older, and that could mean weight, wrinkles, and white hair. Everyone ages differently, but public figures, specifically women, are always demonized and criticized for going through life’s natural aging process.
But the disgusting comments and hate were nothing compared to the men and women hyping Jennifer up, sharing sweet compliments, and spreading positivity:
Some people even pointed out the differing beauty standards when it comes to various cultures, particularly Black vs white concepts of beauty:
Jennifer looks happy and healthy, and that’s all that matters to me. It’s exhausting how often women’s bodies are policed, and I just wish people would keep their negative comments to themselves, because instead of being helpful, it only causes hurt.