Hayden Panettiere‘s three best friends are remembering the late actress on what would have been her 37th birthday.
Emily Buckingham, Kasey Kitchen and Allie Beatti shared heartfelt messages exclusively with Us to honor Panettiere’s memory on Friday, August 20, days after the beloved star died on Sunday, August 16.
Emily, Kasey and Allie’s Tribute
Those who have been touched by addiction — whether themselves or a loved one — are a different kind of warrior. It’s a disease that is most certainly not for the faint of heart, but for those who have navigated their way through it, you know the battle cry.
Hayden Panettiere knew that call … despite the trauma and difficulties she faced, she always put forth her best effort to confront her demons. Over the years, she conquered a tremendous amount of hardship, betrayal and abuse — and still, despite it all, found the courage within herself to keep going.
In light of her birthday, we wanted to find a way to honor her story — the woman she was behind closed doors, without cameras rolling.
When Hayden entered a room you felt it — and then you heard it. She was small but mighty, and filled with life. Beaming with a smile from ear to ear, she was always up for whatever the day had in store for her. Her laughter was genuine, and she never ceased to make those she encountered feel at ease.
Her heart was immeasurably kind — with a devotion to looking out for those who felt they didn’t have a voice … That was Hayden — the girl who spoke her mind and put her foot down when she wanted things to go her way. Hayden was a go-getter. She was constantly creating and finding new ways to bring her ideas to life — a new product, a new show, a makeup line … the list goes on. The point is, she was a ball of fire on a mission to live a good life, and she wanted to leave this world better than she found it.
Here’s to you, Hayden. We love you. – Emily, Kasey and Allie x
Emily’s Personal Tribute to Hayden
When we first met on set, it was an instant connection — a group of 20-somethings all madly in love, leaning on one another, a chosen family forever bonded.
There are so many things I could say about you. You were effortlessly yourself: empathic, fiery, strikingly beautiful, brave, so funny and wildly talented. Your care for others was unmeasured, constantly making sure the people around you felt supported and loved. Your light was bright and bold.
We experienced so many eras together, and no matter what life brought us, we always stayed connected and supported one another. We traveled the world, danced, sang (oh how we sang), laughed so much — and you were just like our favorite song: “Home, Home is whenever I’m with you.”
Kasey’s Personal Tribute to Hayden
I’ll never forget when Hayden called me from Europe. We had just begun working together, and she wanted to be able to connect and talk about what she wanted to do. We spoke for hours — most of which, I can’t even begin to recall, but it was the kind of conversation where you just talk about everything and nothing. She was clear-headed, and kind — and boy was she driven. She was a woman on a mission. After three hours on the phone, we had established a kinship with one another. That relationship only grew stronger over the next six years.
She had a tremendous heart — and always went out of her way to help people. I admired the fire that burned within her when it came to standing up for others. She was never afraid to speak her mind. My greatest wish for her while she was on this earth was that she would learn to stand up for herself as fiercely as she did for others.
Nevertheless, she was the epitome of kindness. One of my favorite memories with her was something we called the Care Bear Stare. It was a term that her trainer, Marnie Alton, would use when we were working out together. During one of the exercises, we had to lock eyes and stare at one another as we were executing a move that burned beyond belief. It was a mixture of intense pain mixed with laughter. The energy in that room was infectious, and I’ll never forget that feeling.
Allie’s Personal Tribute to Hayden
So many birthdays, through so many eras of life. The gift you gave to millions was one thing. What you gave to those lucky enough to know and love you was something else entirely. Fierce and funny. Beyond loyal, generous, and quite the cheese ball. A protector of the people and animals you loved. You showed up for it — the big milestones, the hard ones, and the small ones you somehow knew mattered most. Our Leo sister, auntie, and friend. So much of who I am today was shaped by having you beside me. I found this picture of us in a scrapbook you made for me years ago: “A friend is someone who dances with you in the sunlight and walks with you in the shadows.” How lucky I was to have you for both. Shine bright, my friend
They say that grief over time is like a stone in your pocket. It feels unbearably heavy at first, and then becomes lighter over time. The stone never leaves, nor does it change in size—but the person carrying it becomes stronger. The weight we all feel as a result of Hayden’s passing is immeasurable– but so is the legacy she leaves behind. In honor of her birthday, we hope that those reading this are not only reminded of her commitment to shining a light on mental health and substance abuse issues—but also of her unwavering commitment to kindness and empathy.
Oftentimes we can be quick to judge without having all the information. You never know what another person is going through. And just because someone may seem to carry something well doesn’t mean the load they bear is any lighter. For those that truly want to celebrate Hayden, let’s all be a little bit better at being human.
