Hayden Panettiere is back and ready to make her triumphant return to the silver screen in the upcoming horror movie, Scream 6. After taking a four-year hiatus to focus on her mental and physical health, Panettiere is now ready to reclaim her place in Hollywood.
The 33-year-old actress’s return to the spotlight is bittersweet, however, as her comeback coincides with the recent passing of her younger brother, Jansen, who died two weeks ago due to an enlarged heart, coupled with aortic valve complications. After Jansen’s death was announced, Panettiere appeared on Good Morning America and teared up when host Michael Strahan offered his condolences.
“He’s right here with me,” she emotionally replied.
The tragedy has further highlighted Panettiere’s journey to reclaim her health and happiness. The Heroes alum has been open about her struggles with an addiction to alcohol and opioids, which nearly destroyed her life. After the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014, Panettiere started drinking heavily to cope with postpartum depression, but eventually realized she needed to get help.
In 2021, she made the decision to go back to treatment, enroll in a 12-step program, and undergo trauma therapy.
“I did a lot of work on myself,” Panettiere shared. “After eight months of intensive therapy, I felt like I had this blank canvas to work with.”
The actress has also been vocal about her decision to undergo a breast reduction in Nov. 2022, after she felt her body hadn’t yet returned to its pre-childbirth form.
“My body still didn’t feel like it belonged to me,” she explained. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with somebody who wants to tweak something if it makes them feel more confident. That’s all I have to say about it. My confidence is back.”
Panettiere is now ready to move forward with her career, and she hopes her story can serve as an inspiration to anyone struggling with addiction.
“I want to use my experience to help others,” she said. “I want to be that person to help people who are lost and struggling.”
Panettiere is set to make her big-screen comeback on Friday, April 16th with the release of Scream 6.
