Hayden Panettiere Breaks Silence on Viral ‘Slurred Speech’ Interview: ‘I Was Exhausted and Grieving
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Hayden Panettiere has addressed the controversy surrounding her now-viral interview, where her speech appeared slurred, sparking widespread speculation. On September 22, the 35-year-old actress took to Instagram to set the record straight, explaining the circumstances behind the interview.
In her post, Panettiere wrote, “I would like to take a moment to address the controversy surrounding an interview I recently completed with PEOPLE Magazine.” She acknowledged the attention the interview received but expressed frustration that she even had to explain herself. “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 shared.
Panettiere went on to explain that the day of the interview was particularly challenging. She revealed that she hadn’t slept for two days due to caring for one of her dogs, who had just undergone an emergency surgery. The Nashville star had endured an exhausting eight-hour photo shoot before sitting down for an interview that was originally slated to last an hour.
“The interview started well, and for the record, its beginning is not included in the version PEOPLE Magazine posted. I was exhausted,” she explained. As the conversation became more emotional, Panettiere admitted that fatigue overtook her, leading her representative to cut the interview short.
Panettiere is still grappling with grief following the death of her brother earlier in 2023, which she said has taken a significant toll on her. “Grief looks different on everyone,” she wrote, adding, “Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone’s business and is between me and my doctor.”
Despite the emotional turmoil she has been facing, Panettiere has continued to do press for her latest film. “I am doing interviews to promote my new film because I am proud of it,” she stated, defending her decision to remain in the public eye.
The actress also called out the “toxicity of social media” for amplifying the controversy. “The real issue here is the toxicity of social media and a news cycle that is driven by clickbait,” Panettiere wrote. She urged people to be more mindful of their words, emphasizing the impact that online comments can have on mental health. “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.”
Panettiere ended her post by expressing gratitude to those who supported her during the ordeal, saying, “For those of you who have come to my defense amidst this chaos, I am so grateful. Like I’ve said before, I am a work in progress. We all are.”
