Actress Camryn Mannheim has applauded her Ghost Whisperer co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt for hitting out at the media after unflattering bikini photographs of her surfaced. Hewitt was snapped in her black two-piece swimsuit last month as she was enjoying a romantic break in Hawaii with fiance Ross McCall.

The paparazzi shots were then ridiculed by the media's fashion and fitness police.

The 28-year-old fired back in a post on her website, insisting she's content with her figure, but feared comments about her body would put young girls under more pressure to diet.

A host of celebrities have applauded the actress for not just ignoring the harsh comments, and now Manheim, who faced her own body image issues, is heaping praise on Hewitt.

She's convinced Hewitt's response has sent out a strong message to young women: "I couldn't be more proud of her. I think she's really empowered. I wrote her a long email and said, `What I wouldn't do for your beautiful butt!'"

Other female stars who have backed Hewitt's comments include Kate Walsh, Rosario Dawson and Anne Hathaway.