Exclusive: Jennifer Love Hewitt Says She Found 'Longevity' in Hollywood as She Was 'Allowed' to Be Herself: 'Such a Gift'

Jennifer Love Hewitt rose to fame when she appeared in the Fox teen drama Party of Five, I Know What You Did Last Summer and its sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Can't Hardly Wait and more — and she hasn't slowed down since!

Over the years, the star has learned an important lesson: to always be true to who she is. "Messaging in Hollywood can be very confusing because you have a brand or you become a brand. You're defined by something that people tell you you are, but for me, the longevity has come from authenticity, which is the opposite of all those things," the actress, 45, who is partnering with iconic Italian chocolate brand Ferrero Rocher to launch the “Add Your Golden Touch” campaign, aiming to inspire and encourage anyone who wants to bring their hosting game to the next level through easy and accessible tutorials and fun prizes, exclusively tells Morning Honey.

"I was definitely labeled in the beginning of my career and was told by a lot of people who I was supposed to be or who they thought I was. When I really settled into who I am and stuck with that, I think that's when I found longevity," the brunette babe explains. "And that's when I found those people who are still with me and who are excited about my new movie and book. It's kind of my mantra now with people. I can't do something if it's not authentic because I think people see through that. At the end of a very long career, if you can look back and know that for the majority of the time you were yourself and that you succeeded because not only have you been a success, but you've been a success based on who you really are, that's so beautiful. I always think about that. I've been here a long time and people have allowed me to be who I am, which is such a gift."

The Ghost Whisperer alum, who shares kids Autumn, Atticus and Aidan with husband Brian Hallisay, still can't wrap her head around getting to follow her dreams. "I'm very grateful, and it's incredible. My daughter is very interested in it because there's so many powerful women right now to look up to. She's very intrigued by why I wanted to start doing something so young and how I've been able to keep up with it," she says. "We talk about it a lot, and I tell her it's hard work. It's been hard work, but it's also been a blessing. I feel like I've been touched with something magical that has kept me here for so long. Fans have stayed with me and grew up with me, and it's a really beautiful relationship — it's my longest running relationship, which is so funny to say, but it's so special. All I wanted to do from a young age was this — and to still be here ... I can't feel more gratitude for that, and I just hope it keeps going and going and going."

In fact, Hewitt is more motivated than other and has a slew of things left to check off her list. "More directing. It's my favorite thing I've ever done," she gushes. "Definitely more of that. I also want to do a period piece — not with an accent or anything like that, but a really fun period piece. I want to play a girl that has real moxie in that time. That would be really cool. Also, I want to star in a big rom-com movie. I also want to do something musical like Wicked or something like that!"

These days, Hewitt is excited for people to learn a whole new side of herself when she releases her memoir, Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical, in December.

"It started in honor of my mother who I miss dearly, and she was truly the most magical person I've ever met," the mom-of-three says about Patricia Mae Hewitt, who passed away from cancer in 2012 at age 67. "She was the person that introduced me to my love of holidays, she was the person who introduced me to Ferrero Rocher, she was the person who introduced me to my love of music, she was the first person to believe in me, she was the first person to show me a Christmas movie. All this stuff is about her, which makes it really special — to be able to honor your most special person in such a big way is beautiful. It also keeps her alive for my kids, which means so much to me."

Since the House Arrest alum had kids later in life, her mom wasn't able to get her know them. "This has been a really unique way of honoring her, but I'm also really excited that people will know me better. They know me as a person, but this is a chance for them to know me and my family in a really vulnerable way," she shares. "I hope they like us and feel closer to me after following me through Hollywood. It's a really special time. I'm very grateful."

Jennifer, who loves the holiday season, is all about keeping traditions and paying tribute to her mother, which is why partnering with Italian chocolate brand Ferrero Rocher made perfect sense.

"First of all, I was really honored. It's such a classic, lovely brand that I think brings nostalgia for people, but it's also elevated. The 'Add Your Golden Touch' campaign is so beautiful. Gold is one of my favorite colors, so it was a natural fit in that way, but I'm also in my magical era with my book coming out and my holiday movie, The Holiday Junkie, releasing December 14 on Lifetime. When we were talking about Ferrero being a magical touch on a table or even in a kid's lunchbox or at a casual holiday party, it felt like it fit with where I was heading this year. It just seemed like a good partnership. I had so many lovely comments from people that were excited for the two of us to partner up since I evoke nostalgia for people. It was a really nice launch with so much positivity and magic around," she explains.

"It's been incredible. I manifested this since I'm a big manifester, but I manifested wanting this type of magic and celebration and holidays and love and just goodness in the world — and now I get to be part of it," she adds. "And all of these things have fallen into place so beautifully, and Ferrero Rocher fits perfectly into that. I feel so honored they've allowed me to deliver this magical message. It's been so fun for me and my kids, and it feels like a magical year for us over here! I'm really happy about it."

On November 15, Ferrero Rocher launched an online hub featuring decorating tips, style guides and do-it-yourself tutorials to help hosts enhance their holiday hosting skills throughout the season. From golden wreathes and festive place cards, to dazzling ornaments and more, these online guides, available at https://ferrerorochergoldentouch.com, will offer inspiration for the holiday season and beyond.

Best of all, you can enter the "Add Your Golden Touch" Sweepstakes for a chance to win a 96-piece Ferrero Rocher pyramid to wow your guests at your upcoming celebration. To enter, visit https://ferrerorochergoldentouch.com.