Jesse McCartney's 'Hacks' Cameo Brought Co-Star Hannah Einbinder to Tears

The actress couldn't contain her emotions while filming a scene with her childhood crush.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:30am

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An abstract close-up photograph featuring shimmering sequins and sparkling disco ball fragments illuminated by dramatic studio lighting, conveying the glamour and excitement of a celebrity music performance.The emotional energy of a star-struck fan meeting their childhood idol is captured in the glittering textures and dramatic lighting of this conceptual image.Boston Today

In the latest episode of the Emmy-winning comedy series 'Hacks', Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is surprised with a birthday party that includes a private concert from her childhood crush, singer Jesse McCartney. Einbinder revealed that she was in tears every single take due to her genuine excitement and fandom for McCartney, who she had posters of on her wall growing up. McCartney, who has been a fan of the show since the beginning, was thrilled to make a cameo and said the experience was a 'full circle moment' for both of them.

Why it matters

The emotional reaction from Einbinder highlights the power of nostalgia and the impact that childhood idols can have, even years later. The cameo also demonstrates the show's ability to incorporate real-life pop culture references and surprise its audience in an authentic way.

The details

In the episode, Ava returns home to find a surprise birthday party set up by her boss Deborah (Jean Smart), which includes a private concert from singer Jesse McCartney. Einbinder, who plays Ava, admitted that she was in tears for every take of the scene due to her genuine excitement and fandom for McCartney, who she had posters of on her wall as a teenager. McCartney, who has been a fan of 'Hacks' since the first season, said the cameo was a 'full circle moment' after learning his poster had appeared in an earlier episode.

  • The latest episode of 'Hacks' Season 5 premiered on HBO Max on April 17, 2026.

The players

Hannah Einbinder

The actress who plays Ava on the comedy series 'Hacks' and was a huge fan of Jesse McCartney growing up.

Jesse McCartney

The singer who made a cameo appearance in the latest episode of 'Hacks' as a surprise for Ava's birthday party.

Jean Smart

The actress who plays Deborah on 'Hacks' and witnessed Einbinder's emotional reaction to McCartney's cameo.

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What they’re saying

“She was in hog heaven.”

— Jean Smart, Actress

“I was in tears. I never could have even had the audacity to dream it up. It was so amazing. And I cried every single take.”

— Hannah Einbinder, Actress

“It was such a full circle moment, I think, for both of us. And as you can tell by Hannah's reaction during the 'Beautiful Soul' performance, I think there was a little bit of acting, but I think some of that was actually genuine.”

— Jesse McCartney

What’s next

Fans will have to tune in to the rest of 'Hacks' Season 5 to see if Ava's birthday celebration and McCartney's cameo appearance have any lasting impact on the show's storylines.

The takeaway

The emotional reaction from Hannah Einbinder during Jesse McCartney's 'Hacks' cameo demonstrates the powerful nostalgia and fandom that can arise from childhood idols, even years later. The scene highlights the show's ability to authentically incorporate real-life pop culture references in a way that surprises and delights its audience.