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"I didn't know what sexy meant": Jennifer Love Hewitt reflects on being sexualized as a teenager
Jennifer Love Hewitt recalls the unsettling experience of becoming a sex symbol before she even understood what it meantGetty Images
As her career progressed, jokes about her body became normalised, especially after the release of 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'. Hewitt recalled how uncomfortable jokes about her body were common during interviews, with people laughing along as if it was a joke. “It didn’t register with me that this is a grown man talking to me and passing inappropriate comments about my body on national television,” she reflected. While she doesn’t blame anyone for the comments made at the time, she acknowledged that it was a period where such behaviour was accepted as the norm in Hollywood.
Looking back as an adult, Hewitt explained that when she reached her 30s, she began to evaluate her teenage years more critically. The environment back then made it difficult for her to recognise the inappropriateness of the sexualisation she faced. She also shared that watching the Britney Spears documentary helped her realise how deeply such experiences can affect someone.Today, Hewitt is grateful she didn’t internalise the objectification and expressed appreciation for how society’s views on body image have evolved. She hopes future generations won’t face the same level of sexualisation and that the industry continues to prioritise respect and awareness.
Niki Kini: British star blazing her own music trail
The hardworking artist has set a high standard for herself and feels confident in the music she’s creating, which resonates with diverse audiences. Excited for the year ahead, she is ready to share more new music.
Eastern Eye caught up with the rising British music star to discuss her journey, recent successes, inspirations, and plans for the future.
What first connected you to music?
Songwriting is what made me fall in love with music. There’s so much beauty in capturing a story and connecting with the world through lyrics. Music holds so much emotion, and that’s why I fell in love with the art of writing both lyrics and melodies.
What has been your most memorable moment?
I’d say my first headline gig at Café KoKo in 2023. It feels like forever ago, but I remember the night so clearly. It was surreal to see so many people show up to support me. Hearing the audience sing my lyrics back – it’s every artist’s dream. It was the most rewarding experience.
What inspired your recent single Watch Your Back?
The song was inspired by my experiences in the industry. I’ve encountered many people who sold me big dreams but left me stranded. The song reflects on those experiences with a lighthearted and comical approach to dark moments. You can hear that in lyrics like, “you’re minted but need a tic tac!” Writing the song was a lot of fun.
The cover of her single
How would you describe your music?
My music spans multiple genres but is predominantly pop and r’n’b. I love experimenting with sounds – my next single even has some reggae vibes. I focus on creating a vibe with my music rather than sticking to a specific genre.
What can we expect next from you?
Big things are coming. I don’t want to give too much away just yet, but I’ve never been this excited about releasing new music and performing live. I’d recommend following me on socials (@NikiKiniMusic) and signing up for my mailing list to stay updated.
What is your master plan for music going forward?
To create music I truly love and would listen to myself. Music is subjective, and I’ve had managers try to steer my sound, but as an independent artist, I now have complete creative control. It’s thrilling to share new releases and see how my audience reacts on social media.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
It’s been the same answer for years – Raye. I once participated in a writing camp with her but haven’t had a proper session together. I’d lose my mind if that happened! She’s incredibly talented, from her lyricism and vocals to her production abilities. She’s a dream collaborator. I’d love to get an insight into how her brilliant mind works.
What music dominates your playlist?
It might sound like a cop-out answer, but I listen to a bit of everything. Mostly pop and r’n’b because I love those sounds, and they inspire my music, but I also enjoy country, rap, hip hop, and more.
If you could master something new in music, what would it be?
Production. I dabble in it and love vocal production, but there’s so much more to learn. There’s a lack of female producers in the industry, but beyond that, being a able to contribute to a song’s production adds immense value to your music.
Who is your musical hero?
MIA was a big inspiration growing up. Seeing an Asian woman doing what I dreamed of was incredibly empowering, especially with the lack of Asian representation in the music industry.
Tell us something not many people know about you.
I didn’t have a middle name growing up and was jealous that my friends had one. Because of my love for olives, my parents gave me the middle name Olivia! What inspires you as an artist? Inspiration comes from everywhere – other songs, life events, and even the experiences of my friends and family.
Why do you love music?
Music allows you to say things that can be hard to express in person. It creates opportunities for storytelling through sound and lyrics. I also love the artistry involved, from visuals to album artwork. Music offers endless ways to be creative.
Actor Aziz Ansari, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by a woman with whom he went on a date last year, has responded to the claims saying the two engaged in "sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual".
The 34-year-old actor's statement comes after a 23-year-old Brooklyn-based photographer recounted a date with him that she called "the worst night of my life" in an interview with Babe.net.
"In September of last year, I met a woman at a party. We exchanged numbers. We texted back and forth and eventually went on a date.
"We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual," Ansari said in a statement given to People magazine.
The Master of None actor further said a text by the woman, named as 'Grace' in the article, said that she felt uneasy with how things transpired the night before and responded to her privately as he was "concerned" about her.
"The next day, I got a text from her saying that although 'it may have seemed okay,' upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said," he said.
Ansari, who became the first man of Asian descent to win Golden Globe recently for his performance in the Netflix show, added he supported the movement that has given women a chance to speak up about the injustice they have been subjected to till date.
"I continue to support the movement that is happening in our culture. It is necessary and long overdue," he said.
In the interview, the woman vividly described how she exchanged numbers with Ansari at the 2017 Emmy Awards after- party and went on a date with him on a bar on the banks of the Hudson river, which escalated quickly to a sexual encounter at his apartment.
The woman said she voiced her hesitation explicitly during their encounter.
She said she "used verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how uncomfortable and distressed she was". The woman added that her reticence to engage in the act was "ignored" by the actor.
Grace alleged Ansari called her a cab when she wanted to leave and texted her the next day.
She shared a screenshot of the alleged conversation, in which she said, "Last night might've been fun for you, but it wasn't for me. You ignored clear non-verbal cues; you kept going with advances."
To this the actor allegedly replied, "I'm so sad to hear this. All I can say is, it would never be my intention to make you or anyone feel the way you described. Clearly, I misread things in the moment and I'm truly sorry."
Grace said she decided to come forward with the incident after she saw Ansari wearing a Time's Up pin at the Golden Globe Awards last week, where he won best comedy actor in a TV series.
"It took a really long time for me to validate this as sexual assault. I was debating if this was an awkward sexual experience or sexual assault. And that's why I confronted so many of my friends and listened to what they had to say, because I wanted validation that it was actually bad," she said in the interview.