Hayden Panettiere's rep defends actor's sobriety after fans express concern over disturbing interview

Hayden Panettiere's representative has spoken out after fans expressed concerns about an interview she recently gave.

On Wednesday, September 19, People published their September cover story along with a video interview posted to the publication's Instagram account in which Panettiere discussed her brother's death.

However, many people noted in the comments section that her “speech was slurred” and she “could barely keep her eyes open.”

Panettiere has spoken openly in the past about her struggle with drug abuse and alcohol addiction.

However, a representative of the actress assured in a statement to Page Six: “Speaking about her brother for the first time was very emotional for her – and it had been a long and exhausting day for her. She was not under the influence of drugs.”

The Independent has reached out to Panettiere’s representatives for further comment.

Other commentators on PeopleThe post said the interview should be removed. “Can someone please remove this video? Hayden is clearly struggling here. This is exploitation. Remove this video immediately,” one person wrote.

“This interview should be removed ASAP!!,” added a second.

“Please take this video down. Show respect and compassion,” wrote a third.

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“Please be respectful and delete this,” demanded a fourth commenter.

The Heroines The actress has previously spoken about her addiction to opioids and alcohol and in an interview with People in 2022 that she was only 15 years old when someone first offered her pills.

“They were supposed to encourage me in interviews,” the actress told the outlet. “I had no idea that it was inappropriate or what doors it would open for me in terms of my addiction.”

Panettiere went on to say that while she was not allowed to make a “mess” during filming, she continued to consume alcohol and take opioids in her free time.

“But things kept getting out of control [off set]“And as I got older, I could hardly live without the drugs and alcohol,” she said.

The actress became a mother in 2014. She has a nine-year-old daughter, Kaya, with former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko. While she remained sober during her pregnancy, she began drinking again after the birth.

“He didn’t want to be near me,” she said about Klitschko at the time.

“I didn't want to be near myself. But with the opiates and alcohol, I did everything I could to feel happy for a moment. Afterwards, I felt worse than before. I was in a vicious cycle of self-destruction.”

The turning point for her came when she was hospitalized for jaundice and received news about the condition of her liver.

“The doctors told me my liver was failing,” she said. “I was no longer a 20-year-old who could just get back on her feet.”

She went to a rehab clinic for eight months, which helped her overcome her addiction.

“It's a daily decision, and I'm constantly checking myself,” Panettiere said. “But I'm just so grateful to be part of this world again, and I'll never take it for granted again.”