Eric Todisco
Hayden Panettiere has a message for fans who are concerned about her well-being after watching her video interview with People magazine.
The “Heroes” actress, 35, seemingly had slurred speech during the interview that was released last week where she talked about her brother Jansen’s death.
Panettiere addressed the fan response to the interview in an Instagram statement on Sunday.
“I would like to take a moment to address the controversy surrounding an interview I recently completed with PEOPLE Magazine,” she began her message. “It’s unfathomable that I’m even in this position, but I feel forced to address it in a space where I won’t be criticized for how fast or slow I speak.”
“I hadn’t slept for two days prior to the shoot due to one of my dogs who was recovering from an emergency surgical procedure,” Panettiere explained. “It was an 8-hour shoot followed by an on-camera interview that was supposed to last for 1 hour. The interview started well, and for the record, its beginning is not included in the version PEOPLE Magazine posted.”
She went on, “I was exhausted. My rep stopped the interview early as it became obvious that I was fading—especially as the subject matter became heavier. We asked the interviewer if we could re-do it another day or do a follow up interview on zoom. She assured us that it wasn’t necessary, and that she felt it was an emotional and heartfelt interview. We were also told they would edit it and that it would be a beautiful piece. The magazine does not grant approval for images or video interviews before they run. We see the interview when it goes live.”
The “Nashville” star — whose brother’s death last year came on the heels of her getting sober after entering rehab in 2020 — noted that “grief looks different on everyone.”
“Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone’s business and is between me and my doctor,” Panettiere said. “I am doing interviews to promote my new film because I am proud of it. The real issue here is the toxicity of social media, and a news cycle that is driven by click bait.”
“Mental health is so important,” she added, “and I hope those reading this now understand that what you say hiding behind a computer screen can have a detrimental impact on someone. For those of you who have come to my defense amidst this chaos I am so grateful. Like I’ve said before, I am a work in progress. We all are.”
Panettiere’s condition in her People interview prompted many fans to demand the video — which has over 260,000 views on YouTube — be deleted.
She was emotional in the interview talking about her brother’s sudden death due to an undiagnosed heart condition at 28.
Panettiere said she didn’t leave her house after Jansen’s passing, especially due to photographers following her in the days after the tragedy.
“I had to see horrific paparazzi pictures of myself coming out of Jansen’s funeral, which happened in a very private place, and it was shocking,” Panettiere said. “My agoraphobia came out, which is something I’ve struggled with in the past.”
She also said that she gained weight while grieving the loss of her sibling.
“I just ballooned out,” she said. “I didn’t feel confident to put on clothes and get out of the house, but I also knew that I needed to get out and keep moving or I’d never stop looking and feeling this way.”
Panettiere has previously detailed her battle with alcohol and opioid addiction. She first checked herself into rehab in 2015.
She also battled postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014. When Kaya turned 3, she went to live with dad Wladimir Klitschko in the Ukraine, while Panettiere focused on her health.
This post was originally posted by NYPost
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