Hayden Panettiere shared sweet nickname her 11-year-old daughter Kaya had for her
Months before her shock death, Hayden Panettiere revealed the heartwarming nickname her 11-year-old daughter Kaya had for her.
The 36-year-old former child star’s tragic passing was announced on Sunday (16 August) after she was found at her home by police in Greenville, South Carolina.
Officers responded to a call made by an acquaintance reporting that the actress was ‘unresponsive’ and in ‘cardiac arrest,’ however, the cause and manner of death have not yet been confirmed.
Hayden’s father, Skip, confirmed in a statement to ABC News: "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her - and to the millions who watched her onscreen."
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The actress shared her daughter Kaya with her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, 50, who has also paid tribute to the star.
The pair met in 2009 and began dating soon after. They split in 2011, but rekindled their romance in 2013 and eventually got engaged, but never married.
Kaya was born in 2014, but Hayden gave up custody in 2018 amid her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction, with the sportsman instead raising her in Ukraine.
Despite living apart, they still had a great relationship, and Hayden often spoke about Kaya during interviews.
Speaking to CBS Mornings in May, she gushed: “I'm so blessed to have a great relationship with her. I fly over there as much as I can. I'm on FaceTime with her all the time.
“She's now 11 years old, and she's calling Mommy more and more."
Revealing the nickname her daughter used, she continued: "She actually called me and FaceTimed me the other day, and she calls me 'Britney.'
“She goes, 'Hey Britney’. It took me a second, and I realized she was talking about Bring It On, because her friends are fans of Bring It On."
Hayden starred in the 2006 American teen comedy film Bring It On: All or Nothing, the third installment in the series of films, as cheerleader Britney.
The star added: “I was like, Oh my gosh! She's now asking me to Zoom with her friends. I'm cool now!"
Hayden’s ex-fiancée Klitschko paid tribute to the actress with an emotional Instagram statement on Tuesday (18 August).
He shared a photo of himself and Hayden, with Kaya, with the little one’s face covered up for privacy.
The boxer wrote: “Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief.
“The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.”
He continued: “She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.
“To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden’s parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon.
“I ask everyone to please respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time. For now, this is all I wish to say.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences. Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace. #WeLoveYouHayden.”
Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity
Madison Burgess