Hayden Panettiere Gets Real About Her Past Relationship: ‘It Was A Very Dark And Complicated Time In My Life’

Hayden Panettiere is opening up about a tumultuous relationship from her past, what she has learned about herself from it, and her struggles with opioid and alcohol addiction. The Nashville star, 32, recently sat down with People Magazine to discuss self-growth, therapy, sobriety, and her turbulent relationship with ex-boyfriend, actor and real estate agent Brian Hickerson, 33.

“It was a very dark and complicated time in my life,” Panettiere revealed in the interview. After an on-again, off-again relationship with ex-partner, Ukranian former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, 46, (with whom she shares one daughter Kaya, 7), Panettiere began dating Hickerson in 2018.

The Heroes star explained that her struggle with addiction began in her teen years, and she also suffered from postpartum depression after welcoming her daughter in 2014. As she recalled that her relationship with Klitschko was significantly affected by her addiction, her time with Hickerson was unhealthy due to this as well. “I wanted to party, I wanted to do everything I wasn’t supposed to do,” Panettiere said of her state at the time.

After just finishing 6 seasons of Nashville, she remembered having somewhat of an identity crisis. “Acting was may life, but I felt so bad about myself that I lost trust in myself, and that is very detrimental,” she said. Panettiere added, “The idea of not having a responsibility was very appealing at the time.”

In May of 2019, People reported that Hickerson was charged with domestic violence following an incident with Panettiere, and that she was issued a protective order. The charges were eventually dropped, and the couple were back together just a few months later. In July 2020, Hickerson was arrested on 8 domestic violence charges and in 2021, he pled no contest to 2 felony counts of injuring a partner. The rest of the charges, the publication reported, were dropped. He ultimately spent 13 days in jail.

After his 2020 arrest, Panettiere wrote in a statement, “I am coming forward with 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.” She continued, “I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again.”

When looking back on that same statement today, Panettiere says, “I still feel the same way. None of it is okay, but I want to make sure that everybody knows that each person who goes through something like that, they’re on their own journey. She added, “No two things are exactly alike.”

In March of 2021, Panettiere and Hickerson were seen together in Los Angeles and were both involved in a public altercation with another group at a hotel. Regarding the incident. Panettiere now says, “It was not my best behavior, it was not anyone’s best behavior, but it was not as insane as it was made to look, and everyone is okay.”

Despite their past, she explained that she was able to reconnect with Hickerson as friends. “None of it is okay, and I want to make sure that everybody knows that,” she stressed regarding his past behavior. “But I am open to people who are willing to get help and make amends. He’s gone to treatment and done his time. And I’m trying to live in a place of forgiveness.” 

Currently, Panettiere noted that after undergoing trauma therapy and rehab, she is sober, single, and prioritizing healing. She is also preparing for a role in the next upcoming Scream film and working with her charity to raise funds and awareness for the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

When looking back at her past, Panettiere said, “I am trying to live in a place of understanding.” She continued, “I think [Brian] has done his time and was willing to get help. I think about the things I have done in my life that people forgave me for.” She concluded, “Making amends is a really important thing that you learn in treatment, and it gives you a lot of inner peace.”