Fellow former child star Hilary Duff has shared an emotional tribute to Hayden Panettiere where she opened up about the “strange” reality of being thrust into the spotlight at such a young age. Tributes from co-stars and loved ones continue to pour in for Panettiere following her death at age 36. The Nashville and Heroes star was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina on Sunday, August 16. Her cause of death has not yet been determined, although an autopsy found no signs of physical trauma and toxicology results remain pending. A police incident report states the 911 call was made by her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, who was at the property with his brother. Credit: ABC Three months prior, Panettiere opened up about being a child star, her breakout roles in Heroes and Nashville, and her personal battles with addiction, postpartum depression and the Hollywood system in her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning. Her passing has since prompted a wider conversation about the pressures placed on young performers, particularly following the recent deaths of Michelle Trachtenberg and Daveigh Chase, who also began their careers at a young age. Earlier this week, Evan Rachel Wood reflected on Panettiere’s experiences while issuing a stark warning to parents about protecting their children from the entertainment industry. Now, Hilary Duff has shared her own memories of Panettiere and the unusual bond they formed after finding stardom as children in the 2000s. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) Taking to Instagram, the Lizzie McGuire star and singer wrote, “Sweet Hayden. Really tough hearing this news. We lost touch through the years but I will always remember you as so hardworking and effervescent, with that big, gorgeous smile. “I remember staying up late, chatting and gossiping, and connecting because we were part of such a small sliver of people who actually understood the strange lot in life we were navigating… so young, with no real idea how to make sense of any of it.” Duff added, “I so deeply wish this wasn’t the end for you. Sending a heart full of love to your family, the many people you impacted and everyone who loved you. Rest easy.” Featured image credit: Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock Post navigation Next storyPrevious story
