With roles in movies like I Know What You Did Last Summer and Can’t Hardly Wait and TV shows like Party of Five, Jennifer Love Hewitt became one of the reigning teen icons of the ’90s, and she’s kept busy since then, starring in Ghost Whisperer, The Client List and her current hit show, 9-1-1.
Hewitt has always been known for her girl-next-door likability, and she’ll be turning on the charm in the upcoming Lifetime movie The Holiday Junkie, which she directed and which costars her husband, Brian Hallisay, premiering on December 14. The multitalented actress will also be releasing her memoir, Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical, on December 10.
On top of all that, the star just partnered with Ferrero Rocher for the giftable chocolate brand’s holiday-themed “Add Your Golden Touch” campaign (“They’re a classic part of the holidays, and I was super excited about the whole gold concept and being sparkly for the holidays,” she says with a smile), and she’s fully embracing festivity in all its forms.
Jennifer Love Hewitt sat down with First for Women to talk about the sweet reason why she wrote her memoir, the dynamic working relationship she shares with her husband and what her kids think of her ’90s movies.
First for Women: What inspired you to write your memoir, and what can readers expect from it?
Jennifer Love Hewitt: I was really excited to write about my mom and honor her and celebrate her, and also celebrate the legacy that she left behind for me and my children in creating magic every day in our lives. Before I put my feet on the floor in the morning, I set the intention of trying to make the day magical somehow.
In 36 years of being in the business, this is the first time I’ve been able to write about myself and my life, and it felt like a chance to let go of another level of grief that I was ready to let go of. I’m really excited for people to get to read it soon.
FFW: Given the fact that you started in the entertainment industry so young, did your mom help you stay grounded?
JLH: My mom was a huge part of that. I was never alone in Hollywood. I always had her with me. Sometimes I loved it, sometimes I didn’t, but I’m very grateful in hindsight that she was always there checking on my experience, checking on my mental health, checking on how I was taking in and processing all the things that were being thrown at me at a young age. I think that really helped me.
FFW: As a ’90s icon, do you have nostalgia for that era?
JLH: My daughter’s always like, “Oh mommy, you’re so lucky you’re from the ’90s,” and I’m like, “You truly have no idea.” My kids just watched both I Know What You Did Last Summer movies, which they loved, and I’ve shown them some commercials and music videos I did in the ’90s,
It was such a special time, both for me personally and in pop culture. I love that it’s coming back, and it’s fun that my kids are excited that I was a part of it. It’s really cool to see that and to have that celebrated.
FFW: You met your husband on the set of The Client List, and you’ve worked together on a number of projects, including your new movie, The Holiday Junkie. What is it like working with him?
JLH: It’s a blessing. We have a lot of fun working together. This is actually the second time I’ve gotten to direct him and he’s one of my favorite actors, not just because he’s my husband, but because he’s really talented.
Making the movie, we got to fall in love with each other every day at work. Since we’re married, there’s such a comfort and a trust level there that you don’t get with other people. I think that shows in the chemistry and in the way we are with each other on camera.
FFW: How did you come to direct The Holiday Junkie?
JLH: Directing is my favorite thing to do. I would honestly quit everything else and only do that if I could, although I would probably pop in as an actor, because I can’t help it. I love it so much. It was not my intention to direct the movie, but as I got into prep and putting it all together, there was so much of my story with my mom. I was like, “I think I know this better than anyone,” and it felt like the right thing to do, so I jumped in. I had some nerves, but it was really great.
I’m proud of The Holiday Junkie because I got to work on the script and I created the story. I did two songs for it, I got to star in it, direct it, executive produce it, and my family and friends were all involved.
FFW: Have you been working on more musical projects lately?
JLH: I did a cover of “Islands in the Stream” for the wedding episode of 9-1-1 and in The Holiday Junkie I have an original song that I wrote, and a cover of the ’80s song “Missing You” by John Waite that’s in a really special part in the movie. I’ve been dipping back into it. It’s fun. I don’t know that I’d do it full-time, but I like doing little things here and there.
FFW: What are some of your family’s holiday traditions?
JLH: Brian always does the Christmas lights on the tree while the kids and I are on the perimeter. He likes to do them himself, and then we usually jump in and all of us get to do the ornaments. He makes this famous Christmas cocktail, which I put in the book. The kids get sparkling apple cider and we do a family cheers to our tree.
We also do a lot of open-door hosting during the season where it’s like, “Okay, it’s December, come over!” If you have an hour and you want a drink, you want a piece of pie, you want to make something together—music will be on, joy will be had, cookies will be in the oven. We’re big into that. Anybody that’s in town can come over and dip into some cheer and then leave when they’re ready.
FFW: You’ve had success in both TV and movies. What do you love about switching between the two?
JLH: Movies are so great because it’s a challenge acting-wise to tell a lot about a person in a very short period of time. TV is the opposite. It’s a challenge because you want to show all those little changes a character goes through over time. With Maddie on 9-1-1, so many emotional things have stacked up on her since the show started, and she’s one of my favorite characters that I’ve played. TV is also so intimate because you’re in people’s homes and they’re allowing you to be there, so they feel connected to you.
FFW: What do you do to unwind?
JLH: I love to craft. I’m in my candle-making era, so I buy kits and I have a huge pot to melt the wax to the perfect temperature. I actually made Holiday Junkie magic candles for my family and friends. I’ve made 25 of them and I have probably another 45 to go. I’ve been doing that with my kids and it’s really fun. That’s my self-care activity, to be able to create something and then give it away. I also love to color. I always take markers or pens or crayons and a coloring book with me to 9-1-1 and I’ll color in between scenes.
FFW: If you could give yourself advice when you were just starting out, what would you say?
JLH: I’d tell myself not to worry so much. I was very worried about whether I would find my place in this business and whether I had that “it” factor that keeps you going for a long time. So now I would tell that girl not to stress—that it works out in the end and that you get to be here for a while, which is awesome.
