socous: Jennifer Love Hewitt says she understands why women become prostitutes as she turns tricks for racy new film role

By Georgina Littlejohn

Risque: Jennifer Love Hewitt dons stockings and suspenders for her role as a prostitute in The Client List

It's probably not often that a Hollywood A-lister can relate to a lady of the night.

But Jennifer Love Hewitt has revealed that she has a new-found respect for prostitution after playing one in a saucy new film role.

The actress, 31, stars in The Client, a TV movie which aired in the US last night.

She plays Samantha Horton, who answers an advert in a local paper for a massage therapy job after her husband gets injured and can't work.

She soon realises that the The Kind Touch Health Spa actually employs prostitutes and sells sexual services but Samantha takes the job and soon starts to enjoy her work.

I'm all yours: The client looks on in delight as Jennifer's character gets ready to 'service' him

Like what you see? Jennifer's character Samantha shows her client what's on offer

Soon she is making $1,000 (£650) in tips, is able to buy luxury presents for her family and is taking cocaine to please her clients.

And Jennifer said that after playing the role, she can understand why women turn to prostitution in order to survive.

Sensual: Jennifer's character gives her client a massage... which soon leads to something more intimate

Something sweet, sir? Samantha squirts whipped cream on her client's back

Real life: Jennifer as she usually looks, snapped outside her Los Angeles home last week

Speaking to American Idol host Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show, she said she can see why her character had no choice.

She said: 'Her husband has been injured and out of work, her massage therapy job has been phased out, her kids need braces and their house is about to be foreclosed.

'So she answers an ad in the paper for a massage therapy position.'

In another interview to promote the film, she added: 'Given where we are economically, it's an interesting story. This is the most recession-proof business there is! It's really a movie about the human condition, and the heart, and where life can take you.

'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. It just gets out of hand.'

Jennifer said she also thinks that women might not be getting the sexual attention they need at home and so turn elsewhere.

She added: 'Well, we have needs just like men do, and if men can go out and get their needs met, we will too. It's kind of crazy.'

Party favours: A client offers Samantha some cocaine

Disapproving: Cybill Shepherd stars as Samantha's opinionated mother Cassie

But it's not long before the 'spa' gets raided and Jennifer's character is arrested and forced to hand over a high-profile list of clients to the police in order to keep custody of her children.