“I’m trying to live in a place of forgiveness” – Hayden Panettiere struggles with her demons. In recent years, her life has gotten out of hand: drugs, alcohol and a toxic relationship. In the meantime, the actress has sought help and publicly speaks the pain of the soul.
Hayden Panettiere, 32, wants a fresh start. The actress has only dealt with herself in the past few months: withdrawal and trauma therapy helped her. There was a lot to overcome: your drug and alcohol addiction, for example. But also a relationship that literally poisoned her. This type of partnership, which she led with business manager Brian Hickerson, 33, is called toxic.
Hayden Panettiere: ‘It’s okay to ask for help’
“It was a very dark and complicated time in my life,” Panettiere admits in an interview with “People”. But today she seems stable and encourages those affected to take action. “A lot of women go through what I went through and I want people to know it’s okay to ask for help.”
In 2018, the fateful romance began with Brian Hickerson, which Hayden would carry on in on-off mode with him for over four years. At that time, the “Heroes” star was at its lowest point. Her addictions ruled her life. “I wanted to celebrate, I wanted to do everything I shouldn’t do,” recalls the ex-fiancé of former world boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, 46. At that point, six seasons of the hit series “Nashville” were behind her. “Acting was my life, but I felt so bad about myself that I lost faith in myself. And that’s very damaging. The idea of not having responsibility was very appealing at the time.” She apparently found a soul mate in Hickerson during this destructive phase.
On-off relationship with toxic side effects: Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson can’t be with each other, but they can’t be without each other either.
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There were several charges against Brian Hickerson
How destructive the relationship with him should be first became apparent in 2019, when the 33-year-old was accused of domestic violence after an incident. Hayden was issued a protective order. However, the lawsuit was soon dropped. Not the last violent scandal: In 2020, Panettiere obtained an injunction against Hickerson. He is said to have punched her in the face on Valentine’s Day. He was then taken into police custody.
A total of eight charges are said to have been filed against Hickerson. It was about assault and domestic violence, among other things, as “Us Weekly” reported. He pleaded guilty to two counts. In April 2021, he was sentenced to 45 days in prison and four years probation. This verdict related to the 2019 incident. Overall, however, Brian only spent 13 days behind bars.
Hayden previously went public after Hickerson’s arrest in 2020. “I am sharing the truth about what happened to me in the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve. I am prepared to do my part to help this man will never hurt anyone again,” she said in her statement. Looking back, she says: “I still feel the same way. None of this is okay. But I want to make sure everyone knows that every person going through something like this is on their own journey. No two things are exactly the same. “
Violence does not let go of Hickerson
Hayden can’t get out of her skin. She gets involved with Hickerson again. In March 2022 it will be headlines again. The couple got into an argument. Not with each other this time, but with other guests in the hotel bar “Sunset Marquis” in Los Angeles. They are said to have claimed that the actress’ boyfriend spat on her. To avoid further escalation, the hotel manager expelled everyone involved from the building.
In a video that was leaked to the American news portal “TMZ” at the time, you can see a scuffle on the street. It gives the impression that Hayden wants to push the angry Brian back from the group. “It wasn’t my best behavior, it wasn’t anyone’s best behavior,” she now says of the incident. “But it wasn’t as crazy as it was supposed to be and everyone is fine.”
Meanwhile, Hayden calls Hickerson a good friend despite what happened. “None of this is okay, and I want to make sure everyone knows that,” she explains. “But I’m open to people who are willing to seek help and make amends. He went to treatment and served his time. And I’m trying to live in a place of forgiveness.”
Sources used: people.com, tmz.com, usmagazine.com