Hayden Panettiere on Addiction & Postpartum Depression: "I've Never Gotten to Tell My Story"

In this exclusive and deeply personal interview with Hayden Panettiere, the actress opens up about some of the most difficult chapters of her life, speaking candidly about her battles with drug and alcohol addiction and the pressures she faced growing up in the entertainment industry. Panettiere reflects on the challenges of becoming a child star and being exposed to the adult world of Hollywood at an extraordinarily young age. She recalls having her first alcoholic drink at a Hollywood party when she was just 12 years old and reveals that, at 15, someone on her team began giving her what she describes as “happy pills” to keep her energized and upbeat for red carpets and other public appearances. She discusses how those early experiences contributed to a complicated relationship with substances that would follow her into adulthood, as well as the difficult work she has done to confront her addiction and rebuild her life. The actress also discusses her humanitarian efforts in support of Ukraine, including raising funds to help those fighting on the frontlines, and explains why the cause has become so important to her. Looking ahead, Panettiere shares her excitement about returning to one of her most beloved roles, Kirby Reed, and rejoining the Scream franchise — marking a major return to the screen and the beginning of a new chapter both personally and professionally. Subscribe to People ►► http://bit.ly/SubscribetoPeople CONNECT Web: https://people.com Facebook:   / peoplemag   Twitter:   / people   Instagram:   / people   TikTok:   / people   PEOPLE remains the trusted authority at the center of pop culture. The PEOPLE brand features a unique mix of breaking entertainment news, exclusive photos, video, unparalleled access to the red carpet, celebrities, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling newsmakers of our time. Hayden Panettiere Opens Up About Addiction | PEOPLE    / people