Los Angeles: Hayden Panettiere is sharing a deeply personal part of her life with the public for the first time. The actress, known for her work in Heroes and Nashville, revealed that she identifies as bisexual while speaking about her upcoming memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. The book is expected to release later this month and covers many personal moments from her life, including her struggles with addiction, fame, and self-acceptance.
In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Panettiere explained that writing the memoir helped her reflect on parts of herself she had kept hidden for years. She said she wanted the book to be honest and real, even if some topics felt difficult to talk about at first. During the writing process, she realized she was finally ready to speak openly about her sexuality.
The actress shared that growing up in the spotlight made it hard for her to feel comfortable being herself. She said there was pressure to appear “perfect” at all times, especially as a young celebrity. Because of that, she often worried about how her team, fans, and the public would react if she opened up about being attracted to women.
Panettiere also admitted that she feared people would not take her seriously. At one point, she felt worried that others might think she was simply following a trend, since many public figures were beginning to openly discuss their sexuality during that time. Looking back now, she says it makes her sad that she waited until age 36 to fully share this part of herself. Still, she says she feels proud and relieved to finally say it openly.
The actress spoke honestly about her past relationships with women as well. She revealed that she had feelings for women from a young age and even felt more attracted to women than men while growing up. However, dealing with constant media attention and paparazzi made it difficult for her to explore those relationships freely. She explained that the lack of privacy often created fear around falling in love and having to hide an important relationship from the public.
Panettiere’s memoir is expected to cover much more than her sexuality. She also opens up about her personal struggles, including addiction and recovery. According to the actress, she was nervous at first about writing a book about her life. Over time, though, she realized that sharing her experiences might help other people facing similar challenges feel less alone.
The actress has often spoken publicly about mental health, healing, and personal growth in recent years. Fans have praised her honesty and willingness to discuss difficult topics that many people struggle with privately. Her latest revelation has already sparked supportive reactions online from readers and longtime followers.
Before this, Panettiere was publicly linked to several high-profile relationships, including former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares a daughter named Kaya. She was also previously in relationships with actor Milo Ventimiglia and Brian Hickerson.
As the release date for This Is Me: A Reckoning gets closer, Panettiere says her biggest hope is that readers connect with her story and feel encouraged to embrace who they truly are. By speaking openly now, she hopes others may feel more confident about sharing their own truths too.