Actress Hayden Panettiere recently took to Instagram to address the controversy surrounding her interview with People Magazine. In a heartfelt statement posted on September 22nd, Panettiere defended herself against criticism and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the interview.
During the interview, which took place on September 18th, Panettiere became emotional while discussing the unexpected death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, in 2023. Some viewers expressed concern, speculating that Panettiere’s speech may have been affected as she appeared to be slurring her words.
In response, Panettiere shared that before the interview, she had gone through two sleepless nights due to her dog recovering from emergency surgery. Despite her exhaustion, she pushed through an eight-hour shoot followed by the on-camera interview, which was initially planned to last for one hour. As the interview progressed and the subject matter became heavier, it became evident that Panettiere’s energy was waning. Her representative eventually decided to end the interview early.
Panettiere explained that she was offered the opportunity to redo the interview at a later time or conduct a follow-up interview via Zoom, but was assured by the team that it wasn’t necessary. She admitted that she hadn’t seen the interview before it went live.
Addressing the scrutiny she faced, Panettiere emphasized that everyone experiences grief differently and that her personal medical information is private. She also highlighted the harmful effects of social media and the click-driven news cycle, stating that what people say behind a computer screen can have a detrimental impact on others’ mental health.
Despite the upheaval, Panettiere expressed gratitude to those who came to her defense and acknowledged that she, like everyone, is a work in progress.
Grief, emotions, and personal challenges are unique for each individual, and it is essential to approach others with kindness and understanding, particularly when discussing sensitive topics on social media. Mental health should be prioritized, and the impact of our words online should be considered carefully.
