On Sunday, August 16, it was announced that actress Hayden Panettiere had died. Her father, Skip Panettiere, shared a statement about his daughter’s death with ABC News. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said. “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.”
Tia Mowry Reacts To Hayden Panettiere’s Passing
Panettiere was just 36 at the time of her death. Although no cause of death has been shared publicly, her publicist Kasey Kitchen confirmed that her death was being investigated, The Independent reports.
In the wake of the heartbreaking news, Panettiere’s loved ones, friends, fans, and celebrities have flooded social media with tributes. Among these tributes is one from former Hallmark actress Tia Mowry. “The Game” star reacted to the news of Panettiere’s death by posting a heartbroken emoji on her last photo on Instagram.
The black-and-white photo shows Panettiere looking happy, and she posted it on July 27. Mowry’s short comment reflects her heartbreak, and over 1,900 people have liked it in a show of support. On her Instagram Stories, Mowry shared an Instagram post from Variety announcing Panettiere’s passing.
Remembering Hayden Panettiere & Her Impressive Career
Like Panettiere, Mowry got her start as a child star and is best known for her appearance in the hit sitcom “Sister, Sister.” Panettiere is celebrated for her roles in “Nashville,” “Heroes,” “Bring It On,” and “Scream 6.” She also appeared on the soaps “One Life to Live” when she was four and “Guiding Light” from 1996 to 2000.
She had previously spoken about the struggles that came with starting her career from such a young age. “It’s not healthy to receive so much praise as a child,” Panettiere told The Independent in May. “When I got to an age where I became somebody the paparazzi were interested in, and the media wanted all the gory details… it broke my heart that people thought negatively about me.”
Panettiere spoke about her experiences in hopes of creating change, and she advocated for child actors. “People don’t always understand what they’re asking of young actors emotionally,” she said, People reports. “I remember having to advocate for younger performers and stepping in when people expected too much from them. I become very protective. If somebody’s pushing a child too hard, that’s when I start growling.”
Panettiere has been open about her struggles, which she discussed in her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” which was released on May 12. Ahead of the release, the actress promoted it in an Instagram post in January. “Some stories are only yours to tell… My new memoir This is Me: A Reckoning releases May 12th!” she wrote in the caption.
Fans showed their support in the comments, with many expressing excitement and eagerness to read the memoir. Among the reactions was one from “Jersey Shore” alum Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, who wrote, “So proud of you, queen.”
