Actress Hayden Panettiere recently addressed the backlash following her interview with People magazine, speaking out in a heartfelt Instagram post on September 22nd. The interview, conducted on September 18th, touched on the emotional topic of her younger brother Jansen Panettiere’s untimely death in 2023. Panettiere became visibly emotional during the interview, and some viewers expressed concern, noting that she appeared to be slurring her words.
Despite the sensitive subject, Panettiere also shared a lighter moment in a separate video, talking about her young daughter with joy. However, the actress felt the need to respond to the criticism and clarify what happened during the interview.
Panettiere explained that she had been severely sleep-deprived due to caring for one of her dogs, who had just undergone emergency surgery. The interview itself was grueling, lasting eight hours, followed by an additional hour of on-camera questions. Panettiere said her energy waned, especially as the conversation shifted to more emotional topics.
Noticing her exhaustion, Panettiere’s representative stepped in to end the interview early, even offering alternatives like rescheduling or a follow-up via Zoom. However, Panettiere says the production team reassured her that the interview was fine and emotionally authentic.
Panettiere admitted she hadn’t viewed the interview before its release, but her biggest concern is the toxicity of social media and the damage caused by clickbait headlines. She stressed the importance of mental health and urged people to remember that hurtful comments typed online can deeply affect others.
Amid the criticism, Panettiere expressed gratitude to those who supported her, acknowledging that she, like everyone, is a work in progress. She called for understanding, empathy, and compassion as we all navigate personal growth and healing.
