Before Panettiere was found unresponsive—and later pronounced dead—in a South Carolina apartment complex she was residing in, she also addressed misconceptions about signing over her custody rights to Klitschko amid her mental health and addiction struggles.
“The idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be OK with it is heartbreaking,” Panettiere told Shetty, calling out the “misconception is that I have been in the past forced into treatment when, in fact, I have been the one who sought it out.”
Describing herself a “mother lion,” the 36-year-old said she “would have burnt the world down” for Kaya’s sake. So, when Waldimir—who she dated from 2009 to 2018—thought “it would be best” for Kaya to live in his native Ukraine with him as Hayden sought treatment, the Nashville alum said she made the “incredibly difficult” decision to relinquish custody.
“She’s an incredible little girl—so happy, speaks five languages and rides horses,” the Bring It On: All or Nothing actress said. “She’s got two parents that love her and I know in my heart that she feels supported.”
Keep reading for a look at how Hollywood is remembering Panettiere’s life and legacy.
