Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Hollywood actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in popular series like "Heroes" and "Nashville," made a shocking personal revelation.
On May 6, 2026, she officially announced that she was bisexual.
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This revelation was made in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, which was part of the promotion of her new memoir.
This revelation came at the age of 36, a significant milestone in Panettiere's life, and coincided with the release of her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."
The book, scheduled for publication on May 12 or 19, 2026, is expected to delve deeper into aspects of her life that were not widely known to the public.
She said, "Now that I know this book is coming out, and that I've chosen to share it with the world, I feel comfortable confidently saying that yes, I am bisexual. I said it! This is the first time I've ever said it out loud."
An Honest Confession Amidst Public Scrutiny
Hayden Panettiere's announcement about her sexual orientation marks a new chapter in her life.
The actress, born on August 21, 1989, felt the time had come to be honest with the world, although she regretted having to wait until she was 36.
"It's sad that I had to wait until I was 36 to share that part of myself, but better late than never, right?" she said.
The memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," will not only address her coming out as bisexual but will also delve into darker personal experiences.
The book is expected to reveal her struggles with addiction, domestic violence, and loss.
“It took two years to write this book, and I did not know what I was going to feel comfortable touching on … and what stories were naturally going to come up, and the fact that that did come up, I was like, ‘Why not?’” the Nashville alum continues.
“I’ve chosen to be completely brutally honest about this, and that’s something about me that I was never able to share with the world, because it was just never the right time.”
Reasons for Delay and Entertainment Industry Pressure
Hayden Panettiere explained that the delay in coming out was not without reason.
She grew up in the public spotlight from a young age, which left her feeling "forced to be perfect all the time" and not encouraged to "be herself."
Fear of judgment from the public and the entertainment industry was a major factor.
Panettiere worried that coming out would be seen as "following a trend" or "jumping on the bandwagon" at a time when bisexuality was often considered a "passing trend."
Furthermore, the lack of privacy caused by constant paparazzi following made it difficult to live a private life openly.
Past Experiences and Identity Journey
In the interview, Panettiere revealed that her attraction to women began at a young age.
She even said that she was "more attracted to women even as a child than to men."
However, she never allowed herself to fully engage emotionally in relationships with women due to the fear of having to hide it.
She wanted to ensure that when she finally came out, she could tell her story in a way that was relatable to many.
This confession demonstrates Panettiere's long journey of accepting and coming out about her identity, a challenging process amidst her intensely public life.
Hayden Panettiere's Background and Notable Relationships
Hayden Lesley Panettiere was born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York.
Throughout her career, she has had several relationships that have also attracted media attention.
She was in a relationship with fellow "Heroes" star Milo Ventimiglia from 2007 to 2009.
She then had an on-again, off-again relationship with heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko from 2009 to 2018.
They became engaged in October 2013 and welcomed a daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, in December 2014.
After the birth of her daughter, Panettiere reportedly suffered from postpartum depression.
Following her split from Klitschko, Panettiere entered into a relationship with Brian Hickerson, which was described as a very turbulent period, including Hickerson's arrest on domestic violence charges in 2019.