Lesley Vogel did not speak as a grieving mother is expected to speak. Her first public words after the death of Hayden Panettiere, at 36 years old, were not a warm farewell, but a warning she had been keeping for some time.
She spoke of Hayden’s talent, how difficult it is to grow up in the entertainment industry, and how, in her view, her daughter lost her way. “I think Hayden was an incredibly talented person in many respects. And I think that for young people growing up in the entertainment industry, it is a struggle and a very difficult and demanding industry. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for them to end up taking the wrong path.
I think it becomes very difficult to stay true to oneself, and unfortunately I think Hayden lost her way. I wish it had been different. I wish she had continued to stay true to herself, because she had so many incredible qualities”.
A strange mixture of reproach and belated love that left more than one person wondering about the real relationship they had.
