After years in the spotlight, Hayden Panettiere is sharing a deeply personal truth. The actress has publicly spoken about her sexuality for the first time, describing it as a moment that feels both overdue and freeing. Her revelation comes alongside the release of her memoir, offering a more personal look at her life beyond the screen.
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In her upcoming memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, the actress confirmed what she had kept private for years. Speaking to Us Weekly, she said, “Now … that I’ve chosen to share it with the world, I’m comfortable to confidently say that yes, I am bisexual.” “I said it! This is the first time I got to say it out loud.”
She admitted that timing played a big role in her silence, adding that it simply never felt right before. Reflecting on it now, she described the decision with a sense of relief, saying it’s “better late than never.”
also read: Quote of the Day by Eleanor Roosevelt: 'Many people will walk in and out of your life, but…'—Inspiring quotes by the longest-serving first lady of the United States
Looking back on her early years, Panettiere explained that she often felt pressure to maintain a certain image. She said she was “being forced to be perfect at all times” and didn’t feel encouraged to fully express herself.
At one point, she also worried about how her truth might be perceived, as per a report by Page Six.
“Then came the period where it felt like people coming out, especially women, saying that they were bisexual or liked girls, was a fad,” she shared. “I was afraid that if I was honest, it was going to be like me jumping on the bandwagon. It was a very difficult topic to articulate properly.”
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Panettiere revealed that she has dated women over the years, though it wasn’t always easy. “It was scary, though, because there were paparazzi always waiting for me outside to follow me everywhere,” she recalled.
She also reflected on her feelings growing up, noting she was “much more into women even as a child than … men.” Despite exploring those relationships, she admitted she held back emotionally at times, as per a report by Page Six.
"I have explored it, but because I hadn’t shared this with anybody, I didn’t really have the courage to throw myself fully emotionally into it. Because then if I did fall in love, that wasn’t something that I wanted to ever have to hide.”
The interview also touched on difficult chapters in her life, including a past relationship she described as deeply painful.
"Getting an abusive person out of your life is like trying to rip a weed out that is so entangled into your life, every time you pull it out, another weed pops back up and you’re like, ‘I thought I killed this.'"
“They always manage to find a way to slither back in, even if you’re an incredibly strong-willed person." "I struggled to fully put a kibosh to it for a while."
She also spoke about her personal challenges, including addiction struggles and the grief of losing her brother, Jansen Panettiere.
When did Hayden Panettiere come out as bisexual?
She shared it publicly in her memoir and a recent interview, marking the first time she said it openly.
Why did she keep it private for so long?
She felt pressure to maintain a certain image and worried her truth might be misunderstood at the time.
ALSO READ: 'Never forget, I own you': Explicit remarks and racist slurs—JPMorgan Exec Lorna Hajdini faces fresh allegations in refiled harassment lawsuit
What did Hayden Panettiere reveal about her sexuality?
In her upcoming memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, the actress confirmed what she had kept private for years. Speaking to Us Weekly, she said, “Now … that I’ve chosen to share it with the world, I’m comfortable to confidently say that yes, I am bisexual.” “I said it! This is the first time I got to say it out loud.”
She admitted that timing played a big role in her silence, adding that it simply never felt right before. Reflecting on it now, she described the decision with a sense of relief, saying it’s “better late than never.”
also read: Quote of the Day by Eleanor Roosevelt: 'Many people will walk in and out of your life, but…'—Inspiring quotes by the longest-serving first lady of the United States
Why did she wait so long to speak publicly?
Looking back on her early years, Panettiere explained that she often felt pressure to maintain a certain image. She said she was “being forced to be perfect at all times” and didn’t feel encouraged to fully express herself.
At one point, she also worried about how her truth might be perceived, as per a report by Page Six.
“Then came the period where it felt like people coming out, especially women, saying that they were bisexual or liked girls, was a fad,” she shared. “I was afraid that if I was honest, it was going to be like me jumping on the bandwagon. It was a very difficult topic to articulate properly.”
ALSO READ: Nancy Guthrie case update: New theories emerge on 'porch figure' and potential 'boss' involvement- here's what you need to know
What was her experience dating women like?
Panettiere revealed that she has dated women over the years, though it wasn’t always easy. “It was scary, though, because there were paparazzi always waiting for me outside to follow me everywhere,” she recalled.
She also reflected on her feelings growing up, noting she was “much more into women even as a child than … men.” Despite exploring those relationships, she admitted she held back emotionally at times, as per a report by Page Six.
"I have explored it, but because I hadn’t shared this with anybody, I didn’t really have the courage to throw myself fully emotionally into it. Because then if I did fall in love, that wasn’t something that I wanted to ever have to hide.”
What else did she share about her personal life?
The interview also touched on difficult chapters in her life, including a past relationship she described as deeply painful.
"Getting an abusive person out of your life is like trying to rip a weed out that is so entangled into your life, every time you pull it out, another weed pops back up and you’re like, ‘I thought I killed this.'"
“They always manage to find a way to slither back in, even if you’re an incredibly strong-willed person." "I struggled to fully put a kibosh to it for a while."
She also spoke about her personal challenges, including addiction struggles and the grief of losing her brother, Jansen Panettiere.
FAQs
When did Hayden Panettiere come out as bisexual?
She shared it publicly in her memoir and a recent interview, marking the first time she said it openly.
Why did she keep it private for so long?
She felt pressure to maintain a certain image and worried her truth might be misunderstood at the time.
