In 2012, Jennifer Love Hewitt surprised audiences with one of her most daring and emotionally charged performances to date in The Client List. Known for her earlier romantic and teen roles, Hewitt broke away from her “girl-next-door” image to embody Riley Parks, a struggling single mother who finds herself navigating a double life — one filled with sacrifice, secrecy, and strength.
The drama, which aired on Lifetime, followed Riley after her husband abandons the family, leaving her desperate to provide for her children. Taking a job at a massage parlor that offers more than just massages, Riley becomes entangled in a web of moral complexity and survival.
Hewitt’s portrayal was both vulnerable and empowering — capturing the essence of a woman forced to make hard choices in a world that judges her but doesn’t understand her struggle.
What made The Client List stand out was its ability to blend sensuality with emotional realism. Rather than leaning on shock value, the series explored themes of motherhood, resilience, and societal judgment, giving audiences a deeper look into the quiet strength of women who fight against circumstances beyond their control.
Hewitt’s nuanced performance earned her critical praise and a Golden Globe nomination, cementing the show’s reputation as one of her most defining career moments.
Beyond the glamour and the controversy, The Client List showcased Jennifer Love Hewitt’s growth as an actress — a bold reinvention that reminded Hollywood she was far more than a 90s icon.
She became a voice for empathy, showing that survival sometimes demands stepping into the gray areas of life, and that courage often looks different than we expect.