Hayden Panettiere Says Losing Custody of Daughter Wasn't 'Fully' Her Choice

Hayden Panettiere gets candid about what she calls her ‘heartbreaking’ decision to relinquish custody of her daughter on ‘Red Table Talk.’ The ‘Nashville’ star shares a 7-year-old daughter with her ex, Wladmir Klitschko.

[Lovelyonuoha]

So sad to see child hood actors, going through the most toughest traumatic situations… Been a fan of hers since remember the Titan’s

[flavs]

You can really see the sadness on her face and hear the knot of anxiety trapped in her voice. I hope she gets the help that she needs and fully recovers.

[rosecoloredtimes]

A decade or so ago she told a magazine “I’m no Lindsay Lohan, you won’t see any rehabs or duis for me” I hope she’s learned to judge less.

[chasepierce]

I was on this episode. She was so sweet. All of them were very kind and understanding about my sister's suicide. This whole episode was top tier.

[vera]

Having Kaya be with her father was the best decision. Hayden may not have seen it at the time, but a mother with postpartum depression and a severe alcohol addiction CAN NOT adequately take care of a baby, especially if there is another parent (who isn't struggling with those same issues) that can.
Yes, it wasn't her idea and she may not have fully wanted it, but giving up custody was what was best for all involved. Hayden wasn't doing too well until recently, with her trying to get sober and being with an abusive partner (not the father of her child btw) we don't know how long she has been sober and regulated (probably with medication) so I doubt that Kaya being with her is better than her being in a safe country with people that love her taking care of her (we know Kaya isn't in the Ukraine, hasn't been for a while).

Hypothetically, let's say they share custody. With Hayden's ex's situation (the political entanglements of him and his brother during a time of war) there is a chance that something could happen to him and if it did, Kaya would need her mom to be prepared for what it is to be a mother, which I don't think she would be. Because honestly, I don't think Hayden really fully grasps what it would mean to be a full-time single mother to her daughter, since she never was before.

Her stepping into that role would be tremendously overwhelming and could potentially undo all her progress and push her back into addiction. It's definitely heartbreaking to think abut what she is going through, but it is what is best for the kid and even Hayden has to acknowledge that. That doesn't mean it isn't painful.

(Also, I acknowledge that Kaya is probably traumatized due to her parents' situation, but I firmly believe that Hayden needed the freedom to step away to get better and if she hadn't, then Kaya's trauma would have been a million times worse)
Take all of this with a grain of salt, since I'm going by only the details she and him have shared and I obviously don't know every single detail...

[jonathannocon]

Damn, I feel for her so bad. Hope she pulls through. My thoughts and prayers goes to a speedy recovery to recover that huge part of her soul no doubt.

[dmvbawse]

She was depressed and abusing substances the father has the right to gain custody of his daughter. It’s like people would rather see the girl with the mother being not taken care of than with the father.

[autumnskai]

Many women aren't prepared or truly ready for motherhood.
So much changes mentally, emotionally and physically... The biggest sacrifice we make in life, cause we truly lose ourselves.

[Susanhyde]

She seems very brave opening up and showing her vulnerabilities. I hope she is able to get joint custody x

[angeliquebloom]

I wish her nothing but love, light & happiness.. She's so cute and a good actress

[likmijnreet]

"the most selfless thing to do would be to work on myself" I swear, this woman has never thought of anyone but herself and she acts as if she should be praised for it.

[kram]

Didn't even know she was going through this 😪.. I just decided to stop drinking because my health totally got affected. Never been so scared in my life, addiction is a thing. I don't have kids so atleast I wasn't hurting anyone but myself in the process. Now that I think of my future I need to slow down, control my anxiety and start a fresh. Jesus is love and I trust and believe whoever is reading this will be healed if you believe you can. Don't lose hope 🙏 Amen.

[ambirules]

Wladimir did the right thing in getting custody of the child. It’s sick how she’s trying to paint him in the situation. You‘re drinking excessively, using drugs, fighting outside of bars, on top of being in an abusive relationship ....he did the right thing by removing his child from the dysfunction and trauma!!!!

[kazb]

I didn’t even know she went through that she’s healthy now good for her ❤ she was a good actress

[tinahoffmaster]

Thank you. I went through something similar and I'm glad I'm not the only one that went through that.

[smileyfacewithsunglasses]

I always admired her. How heartbreaking 🥺

[kcurtis]

She was in a bar brawl earlier this year, I think she should be able to see her daughter supervised. I don't think she's ready for custody kid is better off with Father.

[lisachristine]

Well it sounds like she made a selfless decision at a low point in her life when she really wanted better for her child . She wasn’t abandoning her she was trying to do what was best even if it meant giving her dad custody. God bless her and her daughter . Praying she can rebuild her relationship with her daughter soon.

[sldavina]

It's a good thing to be vulnerable and speak openly about what you are going through. It allows you to heal and help others do the same. Wishing her the best and hopi g she can gain custody of her little girl at some point ❤️

[teresaroubal]

It was her fault, a child is the MOST IMPORTANT person, thing in your life..