Hayden Panettiere speaks out on viral ‘uncomfortable’ interview

Hayden Panettiere has addressed concerns for her health after she sat down for a rare interview last week and appeared to slur her words.

Hayden Panettiere is sharing her side of the story after fans became concerned over an interview she recently gave to People magazine that sparked questions about her mental health and sobriety.

“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 criticised for how fast or slow I speak,” the Nashville actress wrote via Instagram on Sunday, local time.

“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.”

Hayden Panettiere appeared to be slurring her speech during the rare interview with People magazine last week.

The former child star said she had barely slept when she gave the chat because one of her beloved dogs was sick.

She also addressed allegations that she was under the influence during the interview.

“Grief looks different on everyone,” Panettiere wrote. “Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone’s business and is between me and my doctor.”

Additionally, the 35-year-old actress claimed she was “exhausted” during the interview which followed an eight-hour shoot.

“My rep stopped the interview early as it became obvious that I was fading — especially as the subject matter became heavier,” she wrote, adding that they were told that the magazine “would edit it and that it would be a beautiful piece.”

She went on to say that the “real issue here is the toxicity of social media, and a news cycle that is driven by click bait.”

Panettiere then signed off the lengthy post with a message for her supporters.

“For those of you who have come to my defence amidst this chaos I am so grateful,” she added. “Like I’ve said before, I am a work in progress. We all are.”

Panettiere addressed fans' concerns over her health in the lengthy post.

Last Wednesday, a video People posted from their interview with the star via Instagram garnered a lot of backlash from social media users who did not think the publication should have released the clip.

“I’m shocked this is posted … it’s uncomfortable and sad to watch,” one person commented, with another calling it “complete exploitation.”

Dancing With the Stars contestant Peta Murgatroyd even weighed in, adding, “This interview should be removed asap!!”

A source exclusively told Page Six, however, that Panettiere “fully co-operated” with People’s team during the interview and video, and that her team “was on set for the duration of the shoot.”

The Remember the Titans star appeared to slur her speech, however, and her eyes also appeared glazed.

Panettiere’s rep previously chalked it up to exhaustion after discussing a heavy personal topic.

“Speaking about her brother for the first time was very emotional for her — and it had been a long and exhausting day for her,” the star’s publicist said in an exclusive statement to Page Six.

Panettiere claimed she was “fading” discussing the heavy topic of the death of her brother Jansen, who died aged 28 last year. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Environmental Media Association

The rep then flat out denied her client had relapsed, adding, “She was not under the influence.”

In July 2022, Panettiere revealed to the public her past battle with alcoholism and opioid addiction.

“Things kept getting out of control [off set],” the Heroes actress told People at the time, “and as I got older, the drugs and alcohol became something I almost couldn’t live without.”

However, according to the magazine’s cover story Wednesday, Panettiere went to an inpatient treatment centre in 2020 to get sober.

Recent years have not come without their fair share of hardships, though, as the actress’ brother, Jansen Panettiere, died in February 2023 from an enlarged heart. He was only 28.

Hayden told People of her losing her sibling Wednesday, “I will always be heartbroken about it. I will never be able to get over it. No matter how many years go by, I will never get over his loss.”

This story originally appeared on New York Post and was reproduced with permission