The Truth About Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Supposed Feud

For decades, Hollywood has thrived on stories of glamorous stars and their equally glamorous rivalries. The entertainment press loves nothing more than pitting two famous women against each other, whether it’s over a role, a relationship, or the never-ending competition for the spotlight. Among the most talked-about rumors from the late 1990s and early 2000s was the supposed feud between Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Both actresses were rising stars at the same time. Both were beloved by teenage fans. And both starred in one of the most iconic horror movies of the era: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997). To the gossip media, this combination was irresistible. Suddenly, whispers of rivalry, tension, and even outright “hate” began to circulate. But how much of it was true? Let’s dive deep into the origins of this so-called feud, how Hollywood gossip exaggerated it, and where the two stars stand today.

1. Two Stars of the 90s

To understand the background of this story, you have to go back to the golden era of teen television and horror films.

• Sarah Michelle Gellar was already on the path to superstardom. In 1997, she landed her career-defining role as Buffy Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series made her the face of a generation, a strong, witty, monster-fighting heroine who quickly became a pop-culture icon.

• Jennifer Love Hewitt had her own breakthrough around the same time. Known for her role as Julie James in I Know What You Did Last Summer and its sequel, she became the ultimate “Scream Queen” of the late 90s. She also starred in Party of Five and built a reputation as America’s sweetheart.

With both women rising in fame simultaneously, the tabloids didn’t need much more to start fueling a narrative of rivalry.

2. The Movie That Sparked the Rumors

The biggest link between the two actresses is, of course, I Know What You Did Last Summer. The film was a huge hit and quickly cemented both women as major Hollywood players. But it also gave gossip outlets a chance to invent a feud.

• Some magazines claimed that Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Helen Shivers, was frustrated that Jennifer Love Hewitt’s character, Julie, was the “final girl” and ultimate survivor of the film.

• Others suggested that Jennifer was jealous of Sarah’s popularity on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which premiered the same year.

In reality, both actresses were simply doing their jobs. Cast and crew members have since said they got along well on set, but gossip headlines twisted every red-carpet photo or side-eye into “evidence” of tension.

3. Hollywood’s Obsession With Female Rivalries

Why did the media latch onto this story? The answer lies in Hollywood’s long history of manufacturing drama between women. From Bette Davis vs. Joan Crawford in the 1930s to Britney Spears vs. Christina Aguilera in the 2000s, female celebrities are often portrayed as enemies simply because they exist in the same industry.

For Gellar and Hewitt, the narrative was too easy: two brunette 90s stars, both talented, both beautiful, both starring in the same teen horror blockbuster. In truth, there was never any proof of a “nasty feud.” What there was, however, was a Hollywood system that profited from headlines like “Buffy vs. Julie: Who Will Be Queen of the 90s?”

4. Did They Actually Hate Each Other?

Here’s the truth: no credible evidence has ever shown that Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jennifer Love Hewitt actually disliked one another.

• Neither actress has publicly spoken badly about the other.

• Interviews from the late 90s and early 2000s show them promoting the film together in a friendly, professional manner.

• Cast members have even reminisced about how much fun they had making the movie.

The so-called “feud” existed mostly in tabloids, fueled by paparazzi photos and gossip column exaggerations.

5. Career Divergence: Different Paths, Different Spotlights

Part of why the rivalry myth persisted is that both women took different but equally visible career paths.

• Sarah Michelle Gellar continued to dominate television with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, later branching out into films like Cruel Intentions and Scooby-Doo. She became associated with strong, edgy roles and earned a loyal cult following.

• Jennifer Love Hewitt leaned more toward romantic comedies, thrillers, and heartfelt dramas. Her show Ghost Whisperer ran successfully for years, and she also built a career as a singer and producer.

Because their careers rarely overlapped after I Know What You Did Last Summer, it became easier for fans and media to speculate about a rivalry that, in truth, never existed.

6. Internet Culture and the Revival of Old Rumors

In the age of social media, old gossip finds new life. TikTok edits, YouTube “celebrity feud” videos, and Twitter fan debates often resurrect stories from decades ago. The Gellar–Hewitt feud is one such myth that keeps circulating, especially among nostalgic fans of 90s horror.

But again, these are largely fan fantasies rather than reality. The two actresses simply represented different archetypes in 90s pop culture: Gellar as the tough, witty heroine, and Hewitt as the girl-next-door survivor. Fans loved comparing them, which only fueled gossip.

7. Where Are They Now?

Today, both women have moved far beyond the tabloid headlines of the past.

• Sarah Michelle Gellar has made a triumphant return to television with projects like Wolf Pack (2023) and continues to be a respected figure in pop culture. She’s also active in producing and has embraced her role as a mom and lifestyle entrepreneur.

• Jennifer Love Hewitt remains a beloved television actress, starring in the hit drama 9-1-1. Like Gellar, she balances her career with motherhood and enjoys a strong fan base that has stuck with her since the 90s.

Not only is there no feud, but both women have expressed nothing but respect for their colleagues from the I Know What You Did Last Summer cast.

8. The Real Truth

So, what is the truth about Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jennifer Love Hewitt’s “nasty feud”?

The truth is simple: it never really existed. The idea of these two talented actresses “hating each other” was more a creation of tabloid culture than reality. At worst, they may have been professional rivals in the sense that they competed for roles during the same era, but personal animosity? There’s no evidence of it.

Conclusion

The supposed Gellar–Hewitt feud is a perfect example of how Hollywood thrives on drama — even if it has to invent it. These two actresses were icons of the same decade, and because of that, gossip writers pitted them against each other. But in reality, both carved out unique, successful careers, each beloved by fans in her own way.

Far from hating each other, they were simply two talented women navigating fame at the same time. And if anything, their shared history in I Know What You Did Last Summer has only cemented them as permanent fixtures of 90s pop culture.

In the end, the truth is far less scandalous than the rumor — but far more inspiring.