Amanda Bynes is reflecting on the pressures of growing up famous following the death of fellow former child star Hayden Panettiere at 36.
Bynes, 40, shared screenshots on Monday, August 17, from a 2013 interview in which Panettiere spoke candidly about navigating fame from a young age and being viewed as a role model. “Life can hit you hard, and fast,” Bynes wrote on LinkedIn. “What a horrible situation. 🙏🏼🕯️🕊️.”
Amanda Bynes Resurfaces Hayden Panettiere’s Words About Child Stardom
Her brief but poignant reaction came one day after Panettiere’s family confirmed the “Heroes” and “Nashville” actress had died.
Bynes shared screenshots from a 2013 interview Panettiere gave to Glamour, in which the actress reflected on the pressures and expectations placed on young stars.
“I will never say that I’m perfect; I will never pretend to be perfect. That’s just unrealistic. You’re kind of unexpectedly put in this position of becoming a role model; that’s not something you choose,” Panettiere said.
The profile also referenced Bynes and Lindsay Lohan while discussing the struggles young performers faced during that era.
Hayden Panettiere Called Herself Part of the ‘Messy Generation’
GettyPanettiere acknowledged that her public image did not tell the whole story.
“I came up in the Messy Generation. The generation of the disaster child,” she told the magazine. “It’s not that I didn’t go to clubs, have my picture taken. I was 16 years old. I was experimenting just like any kid.”
She credited the people closest to her with helping keep her grounded. “But I had friends and family around me to yank me back when I was heading in the wrong direction. … The thing that really saved me was that I still had that healthy fear of my parents — I still had a midnight curfew at 18!”
The comments carry added weight following Panettiere’s death, particularly given how openly she later discussed her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction.
What Has Amanda Bynes Said About Her Own Struggles?
GettyBynes also became famous as a child before becoming one of the most recognizable young actresses of the early 2000s. Her own struggles later unfolded publicly. Bynes was placed under a temporary conservatorship in 2013 amid mental health and substance use issues, according to Us Weekly.
According to Page Six, she petitioned to end the conservatorship in 2022, submitting documentation stating she could manage her own personal and medical affairs. A judge terminated it the following month.
What Has Hayden Panettiere’s Family Said About Her Death?
GettyPanettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed his daughter’s death in a statement shared with ABC News on Sunday.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” the statement read.
“We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Police in Greenville, South Carolina, said an acquaintance placed the 911 call. Variety reported on Tuesday, August 18, that Authorities said the case remains under investigation, while a preliminary investigation had not “indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.”
Panettiere began acting as a child before becoming widely known for “Heroes” and “Nashville.” Her career also included films such as ‘Remember the Titans’, ‘Ice Princess’, ‘Scream 4’ and ‘Scream VI’.
