What Hayden Panettiere Said About Her Relationship With Daughter Kaya

Olivia Evans Mon, August 17, 2026 at 2:52 PM UTC

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Originally appeared on E! Online

Hayden Panettiere had high hopes for her daughter Kaya’s future.

Just months before the Heroes alum’s tragic death at age 36, she detailed what she wanted for her and ex Wladimir Klitschko’s daughter in the future.

“I started getting calls from my 11-year-old being interested in the industry so that’s more of a nail bitter,” Panettiere shared in an interview with E! News in May. “I always want to support whatever she wants to do but I am trying to guide her toward, ‘Let’s not rush into anything.’”

Indeed, while Panettiere started her career as an actor at just 11 months old, she had a different trajectory in mind for her daughter.

“‘Why don’t you try a few things out and have a college experience,’” Panettiere recalled telling her. “She still has the ability to fly under the radar and once you give that up you don’t get it back. Once you’re out there and you’re famous and known, there is no getting your privacy back.”

Meanwhile, Panettiere noted how her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning could provide an important guide for her daughter in the future when it comes to exploring her struggles with postpartum depression.

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“She keeps asking about the book—she wants to read it,” the Bring It On: All of Nothingalum mused. “My fear is that I don’t ever want her to feel like the postpartum depression aspect was her fault in any way. I don’t know what the emotions are going to be around that but I want her to take away that it’s OK to be imperfect and flawed and you’ll actually realize that you’re not alone in any of your struggles and you don’t have to stay quiet and be sick like I was.”

In fact, Panettiere’s daughter served as the only motivation while battling an especially intense bout of postpartum depression, which she explored in her memoir.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

“I have a beautiful, healthy little girl,” Panettiere detailed. “I am in a beautiful place. I have a blessed life and all I want is to be happy.”

Elsewhere in her book, Panettiere—whose father Skip Panetteire confirmed was found dead on Aug. 16—shared that she felt her life was completed by her daughter’s birth in 2014. When going through a near-fatal c-section, the Nashville alum noted her then-newborn got her through it.

“I knew I was knocking on death’s doorstep,” Panettiere said, “and I had just the most motherly moment where I said, ‘God please just let me hear my daughter cry. I just want to know she’s OK. If it’s my time to go, I’m OK with that. I’m ready.’ I wasn’t afraid at all.”

For a deeper look at Panettiere’s bond with her daughter, keep reading…

Bethany Joy Lenz

After Panettiere’s death Aug. 16, herGuiding LightcostarBethany Joy Lenzwas one of many who shared heartbreaking memories from their years-long friendship.“I’m crushed,” Bethany wrote in an Instagram post. “I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her. She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing.”Noting that the pair would “connect on and off over the years,” Bethany detailed feeling joy when they “were lucky enough to cross paths.”“I dont understand how this is real,” she continued. “Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real..”Viola Davis

Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 filmCustody, remembered her as "an amazing talent."“Julius[Tennon] and I loved working with you,” Viola wrotein her Aug. 17 Instagram post, “an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy.”“You will be remembered,” theFencesstar added. “Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name.”Selma Blair

Underneath theHeroesactress’ final Instagram post, Blair penned a heartbreaking message: "I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please. Please.” TheLegally Blondealum later added, “I'm dying. Please be here."Kelly Osbourne

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of someone who meant so much to me,” Osbournewrote alongside a photo of Panettiere. “We understood each other in a way few truly can — recognizing how difficult it is to grow up in the spotlight, and how isolating it can feel even when surrounded by so many people.”Osbourne praised Panettiere as being “such a good friend.”“I will never forget you, Hayden, and I will always believe you deserved better,” theOsbournesalum added. “Rest in peace, sweet princess. You will never be forgotten.”Rosie O'Donnell

"Oh my god," the comedian wrotealongside a photo of PanettiereAug. 16, "heartbroken. #hayden."Melissa Barrera

Panettiere'sScreamcostar Barrera wrote on herInstagram StoriesAug. 16, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”Jay Shetty

The podcaster—who sat down with theBring It On: All or Nothingstar in May for an emotional conversation about her sobriety journey and the death of her brother—shared he was in "disbelief.""You were so special," he wrote on hisInstagram Storiesalongside a clip of her podcast episode. "May you always be protected and peaceful."Heather Matarazzo

ThePrincess Diariesstar shared she met theIce Princessactress during their early days of acting.“Devastated,” shecaptioned a photo of the pair on Instagram.“We first met on the LIRR traveling to NYC for auditions when we were both kids. Every time our paths crossed, my heart always filled up. She was special. She was a Sprite of a being and such a talent. Truly a light…..Love you, Hayden.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”