Hayden Panettiere Addresses Concerns About Slurred Speech and Medication

Hayden Panettiere is speaking out. 

After fans expressed concern for the Heroes alum due to her speech pattern in a recent interview, the actress set the record straight about what was going on behind the scenes.

"It's unfathomable that I'm even in this position," Hayden wrote on Instagram Sept. 22, "but I feel forced to address it in a space where I won't be criticized for how fast or slow I speak."

According to the 35-year-old, she hadn't slept for two days prior to the shoot because one of her dogs "was recovering from an emergency surgical procedure." She also explained that the video for People was recorded after an eight-hour day and by the time they started recording, she was feeling exhausted.

"My rep stopped the interview early as it became obvious that I was fading," she added, "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."

She said that the magazine also assured they would edit the video to create a "beautiful piece" touching on a number of subjects—including the sudden death of Hayden's brother Jansen Panettiere in 2023 due to an undiagnosed heart condition.

"Grief looks different on everyone," she continued. "Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone's business and is between me and my doctor."

The Scream VI actress added, "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, and I hope those reading this now understand that what you say hiding behind a computer screen can have a detrimental impact on someone."

Hayden—who shares daughter Kaya, 9, with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko—thanked those who had come to her "defense amidst this chaos," before noting, "I am a work in progress. We all are."

Concern for the Nashville star first started to bubble up after People shared a video from their interview with her to social media Sept. 18, in which Hayden looked tired and was slightly slurring her words.

And fans were quick to notice, with one commenting on the video, "She doesn't look or sound well. Praying for her."

Another added, "Oh wow. So sad to see her this way. I hope she gets the help she needs."

But as Hayden noted, the interview got especially difficult when she began discussing the impact her younger brother's death at age 28 had on her and continues to have.

"He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him," she told People. "When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul."

She added, "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."

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