Hayden Panettiere has addressed concerns raised by fans following an interview with People magazine, where the actress opened up about the loss of her younger brother, Jansen. The interview, published last week, led some fans to worry about the 35-year-old’s well-being.
During the interview, Panettiere discussed the death of her brother Jansen, who passed away in 2023 due to an undiagnosed heart condition. The emotional nature of the conversation prompted speculation about her health, with some fans fearing that she may have relapsed.
Panettiere has publicly faced challenges with her mental health and substance abuse in the past. In 2016, she sought treatment for postpartum depression, and in 2018, she lost custody of her daughter, Kaya, while dealing with addiction issues. In a 2022 interview on Red Table Talk, she revealed that she had been undergoing treatment for addiction to opioids and alcohol when her daughter moved to live with her father, former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, in Ukraine.
Following the release of the People interview, concerns surfaced about Panettiere’s speech and overall health. Responding to the speculation, she took to Instagram to clarify her situation.
In her post, Panettiere explained that she hadn’t slept for two days before the interview due to caring for one of her dogs, who had undergone emergency surgery. “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,” she wrote.
Panettiere added that the interview had started off well, but her exhaustion became evident as it progressed. “My rep stopped the interview early as it became obvious that I was fading—especially as the subject matter became heavier,” she said.
The actress also spoke out about the criticism she received, emphasizing the impact of social media on mental health. “Grief looks different on everyone,” she wrote. “Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone’s business and is between me and my doctor.”
Panettiere called out the “toxicity of social media” and news cycles driven by “click bait,” warning about the harm online comments can cause. “Mental health is so important,” she stressed, urging people to consider the impact their words can have.
She ended her statement with gratitude for those who supported her. “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 latest film, Amber Alert, is set to be released this week.
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