Jennifer Love Hewitt is heading to the small screen playing a controversial new role inspired by the true story of a former homecoming queen-turned-prostitute!

"Given where we are economically, it's an interesting story," says Jennifer of "The Client List" and the sacrifice her character needs to make in order to provide for her family. "It's really a movie about the human condition, and the heart, and where life can take you."

In "The Client List," coming to Lifetime on July 19, Jennifer produces and stars as Samantha Horton, a former Texas homecoming queen and physical therapist who is forced to look for work to support her family after both she and her faded football star husband lose their jobs. On the brink of bankruptcy, she desperately accepts a position as a massage therapist at a parlor, unwittingly finding herself stuck in the middle of a prostitution ring. Cybill Shepherd also stars as Samantha's opinionated mother, Cassie.

"[Samantha] has no choice at the end of the day but to give everything that she can in order to take care of her family," says Jennifer. "She really thinks she's doing the best thing possible for them, and it just gets out of hand. ... It takes her on a rollercoaster ride."

Jennifer reveals that she took pole dancing classes for the role, "because it really, really gets you in shape [and] it also really teaches you about your inner sexuality."

She adds that the role and the research has been "empowering," but laughs, "My mom's like, 'I'm so proud. You're pole dancing and you're going to play a prostitute. Awesome!' It's like, 'Yeah, what you always dreamed about, mama!' But you know, it's a great part."

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