Lesley Vogel, mother and one-time manager of late actress Hayden Panettiere, has been the target of criticism after comments she made in an NBC News interview following her daughter’s tragic death.
“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path,” Vogel said. “I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself, and I think Hayden sadly lost her way, and I wish it were different. I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.”
During an edition of “CBS Mornings,” host Gayle King shared her thoughts. “You know, guys, you read this, and all I can think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing,’” she said, as reported by Page Six. “It makes me so sad of the opportunity that you have after your daughter’s death,” she added, “that that’s what you choose to leave us with.”
‘Infinite Sadness’
King’s comments echoed a similar critique from Hallmark Channel star Holly Robinson-Peete, who wrote of Vogel, “if you’re not gonna take accountability for the fact that you put her in the business that eventually messed her up then nothing you say has any integrity. She didn’t even say ‘I will miss my daughter’ or ‘I loved my daughter the best way I could.’ Has she even mentioned the word daughter?”
Also weighing in was former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, who excoriated Vogel. “You failed at your job… You got an F as a parent,” Kelly said. “You made a bunch of money off of your daughter. You probably have a super nice car and a big house. You failed. You raised someone to the age of majority who doesn’t feel safe, loved, or cherished. You’re a loser.”
Now, Vogel is responding to that criticism, stating her mind in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“There is infinite sadness,” said Vogel of the comments that have been directed at her after her daughter’s passing.
‘I Have to Stay Strong’
Vogel continued by expressing the pain she’s been experiencing, explaining that there’s been so much to do since Panettiere’s death that she hasn’t had the time to properly mourn yet.
“But this is not the time for me to be weak. I don’t have the luxury right now of being weak,” she said.
“I have too much to do for Hayden,” Vogel insisted. “When I’m done with that, then I will give myself the luxury to mourn — deeply mourn. I’m not saying I’m not grieving now. I am, and I do have my moments. But the bigger picture right now is I have to stay strong. I don’t have an option.”
‘Very, Very Hurt’
In her interview, Vogel called out those who’d criticized her comments about her daughter’s tragic death.
“I was very, very hurt and deeply disappointed in the lack of professionalism, the lack of compassion in slamming someone who’s lost two children, without even a modicum of consideration,” she said.
“No one reached out to me before,” she added. “It’s shameful. It’s unconscionable to me.”
