How troubled Hayden is getting her life back on track
After years of controversy and fears for her wellbeing, friends reveal why actress Hayden Panettiere is determined to come back stronger than ever
Her Hollywood career has been blighted by scandal and heartache – battling postpartum depression, drinking problems, two rehab stints and a turbulent love life.
And while she’s been on a career break since 2016, Hayden Panettiere, 30, is clearly keen to show how she’s worked hard to turn her troubled life around. She looked happier and healthier than ever in a string of freshfaced selfies as she returned to Instagram recently, sharing rare snaps with her five-year-old daughter, Kaya, whose dad is heavyweight boxing champ, Wladimir Klitschko.
One excited fan gushed on social media, “FINALLY! We’ve missed you so much!” while another added, “You look amazing! So glad to see you looking so well and healthy!”
Her glowing transformation is a far cry from the dishevelled former child star who was snapped leaving a restaurant barefoot and covered with what appeared to be bruises on her arms and legs almost two years ago, during her “toxic” relationship with estate agent Brian Hickerson, 30. The pair finally split in February this year, after Brian was arrested for allegedly assaulting her. He denies charges of domestic battery and interfering with a police officer and his trial is set to start in September.
CRITICAL TIME
Insiders tell Closer that the three-month lockdown “came at a critical time” for the troubled Heroes star, as it’s shown her what is “really important in her life” – namely her daughter, who lives with Wladimir in Ukraine after Hayden lost custody of her in
2018, reportedly agreeing “it’s for the best”.
The source says, “Hayden was in a dark place after Brian’s arrest but it gave her the wake-up call she needed because she also feared she could end up losing her daughter for good.
“Their bust-up and split happened a month before lockdown started, and as soon as it kicked in, Hayden went to her beach home in Jersey Shore to isolate with one of her closest friends.
“Although lockdown was scary initially, it actually came at a critical time for Hayden because it’s allowed her time and space to focus on herself and her mental health, rather than being distracted. She’s been having some online therapy sessions and has been able to cut out negative people – like Brian.
“Being in isolation has given her a whole new perspective on life – what she wants from it and what is important to her. She’s adamant she won’t waste any more of her time on Brian or any other toxic influences. Her only focus going forward is her child and doing what’s best for her, which could mean relaunching her career.”
DEPRESSION
Thankfully, Hayden has a close relationship with her boxer ex, who she became engaged to in 2013 after five years of dating. They welcomed their daughter a year later, which sparked
Hayden’s long battle with postnatal depression.
Despite calling off their engagement two years later, earlier this month Hayden posted a tribute calling him the “best father ever”, and she said after their split, “We’re still respectful of each other, and we still have that friendship with each other… I think we’ve done a really good job.” She proudly added their daughter speaks “multiple languages” thanks to her multilingual ex, who also occasionally lectures at Harvard University when he is visiting the US.
And sources tell Closer that last month, Wladimir took their daughter to stay with her mum, explaining, “Wladimir is incredibly supportive of Hayden and he wants them to be a close family. When he and Kaya are at home in Ukraine, he FaceTimes her every day as he is desperate for her and Kaya to have the best mum and daughter bond.
“He knew she would be feeling anxious without seeing Kaya for a long amount of time, so he took their daughter to visit her in a bid to keep her motivated and dedicated to sorting herself out. Hayden is so grateful and has really enjoyed having some quality time with Kaya – doing art projects with her, teaching her to swim and even little things like having breakfast together in the mornings and snuggling up in bed watching movies.
“She says having this time to switch off from the world and reconnect with her daughter is starting to make her feel like her old self again, and has given her the encouragement she needs to be the best version of herself.”
As a young teen, Hayden became part of the notorious group of Hollywood party girls that included the likes of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, whose troubled personal lives also went on to plague their fledgling careers.
Reflecting on her wild partying days in an interview in 2016, she said, “I was in the same generation. I was expected to do the exact same thing. I watched like a hawk not to fall into the same groove, and I fought against that for so long, but…”
NEW FOCUS
Now pals say Hayden’s determined to focus on getting her daughter and her career back for good.
The source adds, “Hayden wants joint custody of Kaya, and Wladimir is happy with that, so long as she continues to prove she’s on the right path. Of course the main focus is on her health but Hayden is also longing to get back on screen. She wants to make a good life for herself and her daughter and she hopes that a movie comeback in the near future will prove to herself and her fans that no matter what you go through in life, with hard work and determination, you can pick yourself up.”
SHE’S ADAMANT SHE WON’T WASTE ANY MORE TIME ON TOXIC INFLUENCES