Fans and the entertainment industry are still heartbroken over the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 36. Naturally, the attention turned to her family, especially her estranged mother, actress Lesley Vogel.
Days after Hayden’s family confirmed her passing on 16th August 2026 (Sunday), Lesley broke her silence, sharing her thoughts about her daughter’s death in an interview with NBC News. She said, “I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments, and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry – it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path.”
The former soap opera star continued her statement, “I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself, and I think Hayden sadly lost her way, and I wish it were different. I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.” Netizens and fans have since reacted to Lesley’s comments, mostly expressing shock at how she reacted to her own daughter’s death.
Lesley was Hayden’s manager for most of her childhood career, which started when the late star was barely one year old. However, in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning”, released in May 2026, Hayden revealed that she and her mother had a turbulent relationship. She also said she had been estranged from her mother earlier this year but remained hopeful that the two could reconcile.
@entertainmenttonight Hayden Panettiere is reacting to her mother’s scathing statement about her upcoming tell-all book, calling it “so false.” Lesley Vogel, Hayden’s estranged mother and former manager, said in a lengthy statement that she believes Hayden’s “present drama is partially to sell books” and claimed she went no-contact with her daughter after “20 years of trauma,” accusing Hayden of having a “personality ‘style’ which manifests as a need for control, entitlement and a lack of empathy.” Sitting down with ET, Hayden responded to that statement, saying it’s “so false.” The 36-year-old actress says she always wants to leave the door open to rebuild a relationship with her mother, but “she slammed that door pretty hard in my face.” Hayden explores her life as childhood star, working with her mother and more in her memoir ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning,’ out May 19. #haydenpanettiere #thisismeareckoning
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On social media, netizens remarked that Lesley’s comment was cold and insensitive. Many also argued that Lesley was largely at fault for Hayden’s struggles since she pushed her to start acting at a young age. In her memoir, Hayden shared instances of her mother’s controlling behaviour, alleging Lesley once used superglue to attach her tooth so she wouldn’t lose an acting role.
In the same NBC News interview, Lesley also pointed fingers at Hayden’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. She said, “This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death, and that was Brian Hickerson”. The actor was previously sentenced to jail for domestic abuse charges. As he was the last person with Hayden, there’s speculation that he was involved in her passing.
Investigation into Hayden’s official cause of death is still ongoing. In the meantime, fans and celebrities continue to pay tribute to the late star, highlighting how loved and respected she was.
Sources: Variety, Twitter, Yahoo!
