Hayden Panettiere said she thought “people would have empathy” as she addressed her mental health publicly.
The “Nashville” star appeared on Tuesday’s episode of “Today With Hoda and Jenna” when she was asked how she was managing public conversations about her “own mental health” while grieving the loss of her brother, Jansen Panettiere.
“I thought it would be easier. I thought that people would have empathy [and it] was going to be the only thing that was there, but I had no idea how my body, my mind was going to react to grief,” she began on the talk show.
“It’s wild what stress and grief and all these hormones running through your body can do. [They can] make you faint,” she continued.
Panettiere, 35, added that grief “comes in all different forms, so nobody should be embarrassed by it or judged for it.”
The mom of one also raved about improving her mental health through movement with the help of celebrity fitness trainer Marnie Alton, who has helped her “in ways that [she] can’t even put into words.”
“It’s a combination of barre and yoga, but it’s not just about physical. It’s the mental state that you’re in. It’s when we have to step outside and have a conversation –– a real true grounding conversation –– or today is a day for a long walk, we’re still moving, but we’re doing some venting and therapy at the same time,” she shared.
Panettiere also spoke candidly about learning how to live without her brother, who died in February 2023 at age 28.
“I think it’s something that transforms over time. Like, maybe the five stages of grief is for people who had a heartbreak or find out some bad news. Yes, there are five stages, but there’s so much more in between,” she explained.
The “Bring It On” actress talked about her health and grieving process while promoting her new film “Amber Alert,” which she said “felt right” for her return to acting.
Panettiere seemed in good spirits during the interview and looked chic in a black semi-sheer button-down shirt with a tie layered with a black and white blazer.
The actress appeared on the morning show just a few days after she first addressed her People magazine interview, in which she appears to speak slowly and slur her words.
“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 in an Instagram caption Sunday.
Panettiere explained that she “hadn’t slept for two days prior to the shoot” because one of her dogs was “recovering from an emergency surgical procedure.”
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“Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone’s business and is between me and my doctor,” she added.
Panettiere acknowledged that she is still grieving the loss of her brother as well.
“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,” she shared.
The “Heroes” actress claimed that the shoot lasted for eight hours before she sat down for an on-camera interview that was slated for an hour.
However, shortly after the interview “started well,” her publicist “stopped the interview early” when it “became obvious” that she was “fading” with the “heavier” questions about her late brother.
“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. We were also told they would edit it and that it would be a beautiful piece,” she claimed.
Panettiere concluded her statement by thanking those who came to her “defense” while she continued to be a “work in progress.”
The “Remember the Titans” star released the statement a few days after a video of her talking about her daughter left fans concerned.
In the controversial clip, Panettiere seemed to struggle to speak clearly and keep her eyes open. Fans and celebrities left thousands of comments discussing their disappointment in the video and urged People to delete the video.
The outlet has yet to address the interview, but a source previously told that Panettiere “fully cooperated” with their team at the time.
Panettiere has previously discussed her past battle with alcoholism and opioid addiction, but her publicist assured that her client “was not under the influence” at the time of the interview.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
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