Hayden Panettiere has publicly opened up about her sexuality for the first time, revealing that she identifies as bisexual after years of keeping that part of her life private.
In a candid new interview, the 36-year-old actress explained that she spent much of her career feeling pressure to appear “perfect” in the public eye. Panettiere admitted she wishes she had felt comfortable sharing her truth earlier, but said she now feels confident and at peace openly describing herself as bisexual.
The Nashville star revealed that she had been attracted to women since she was very young and often felt more drawn to women than men. However, because of intense media attention and fear of public judgment, she never fully explored those relationships emotionally or publicly.
Panettiere explained that she worried people would dismiss her sexuality as a trend during a period when many women in entertainment were publicly coming out. She said those fears prevented her from openly embracing that side of herself for years.
The actress decided to speak honestly about her experiences while writing her upcoming memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which is scheduled for release later this month. The book reportedly explores her personal struggles, including addiction, trauma, recovery, and life in the spotlight.
Throughout her career, Panettiere has only publicly dated men, including former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares daughter Kaya. She also previously dated actor Milo Ventimiglia and several other high-profile figures.
Alongside promoting her memoir, Panettiere is also preparing for the release of her latest film, Sleepwalker, in which she stars and serves as executive producer.
By sharing her story openly, Hayden Panettiere hopes to embrace a new chapter built on honesty and self-acceptance. After years of navigating fame, personal struggles, and intense public scrutiny, the actress says she finally feels ready to live more authentically and speak openly about the experiences that shaped her journey.
