Hayden Panettiere has publicly responded to harsh criticism from her estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, who recently called the actress 'entitled' in a statement released ahead of Panettiere's forthcoming memoir.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight published on Monday, May 18, the 36-year-old actress directly addressed her mother's accusations. 'It was so false,' Panettiere stated. 'When people ask me about the relationship, if there's any hope for the future, I always say I leave that door cracked open in case.'
The Heroes alum elaborated on the painful reality of her family estrangement, expressing a universal longing for maternal connection. 'Because who doesn't want a relationship with their mother? You pray for it and hope it eventually comes. But she slammed that door pretty hard in my face. She has very clearly prioritized herself, which I should not be shocked by,' Panettiere explained.
The public exchange began last week when Vogel released a statement to Page Six on Thursday, May 14, dismissing allegations about their strained relationship as attempts to 'sell books.' Vogel, who previously managed her daughter's career, made pointed remarks about personality traits she attributed to the actress.
'There is a personality 'style' which manifests as a need for control, entitlement and a lack of empathy,' Vogel told Page Six. 'The major fear is that someone will see through the mask they present to the world and discover who they truthfully are.'
Vogel further claimed that 'this condition cannot be 'fixed'' regardless of 'continual efforts to support' or 'comfort,' alleging there had been '20 years of trauma' between them.
The mother's public statement came nearly a week after Panettiere confirmed the estrangement in an exclusive Us Weekly cover story. In that interview, the actress acknowledged the difficult reality while maintaining a measure of hope.
'Unfortunately, we don't have a relationship right now,' Panettiere explained to Us Weekly. 'But that doesn't mean that I don't leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day. It's hard for me to say, but I've chosen to be brutally honest.'
The family conflict has emerged into public view as Panettiere prepares to release her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. In the book, the Nashville alum opens up about her struggles in Hollywood and her experiences during the early days of her career.
The actress shared with Us Weekly that she felt pushed by her mother during her formative years in the entertainment industry. 'It's so ingrained in me to be a people pleaser. I went on set, and it was all about being professional, nailing it and always hitting my mark. I had to be perfect. It was nice to hear positive feedback from people like the directors or producers, but without [my mom's], nothing else mattered,' she claimed.
Panettiere revealed the profound impact this pressure had on her sense of self. 'I felt like I had an identity crisis at 12 years old. I didn't know who I was,' she stated.
The public nature of this family dispute underscores the complex dynamics that can exist between parents and children in the entertainment industry, particularly when professional and personal relationships become intertwined. As Panettiere continues to share her story through her memoir and interviews, the actress appears committed to honesty about her experiences, even when that honesty comes at a personal cost.
Us Weekly has reached out to Vogel's team for additional comment following Panettiere's latest interview.
