Hayden Panettiere is speaking out in support of Paris Jackson after both women shared personal details about their struggles with addiction.
During a Thursday, May 28 appearance on The Morning Show, Panettiere said she could relate to Jackson’s recent comments about how alcohol changed her behavior. Jackson, 28, addressed the issue earlier in the week on Jack Osbourne’s Trying Not to Die podcast, where she described how drinking could bring out “ugly behavior” and make her act in ways that conflicted with the values she was raised with. She said alcohol could turn her into a “vindictive person” and remove the kindness she tries to practice in everyday life.
Panettiere, 36, praised Jackson as “incredible,” “incredibly strong,” and “such a powerful, beautiful person.” She said she had recently seen Jackson and was impressed by how she has dealt with addiction while continuing to move forward with her life and music career. Panettiere also said she felt proud of Jackson, noting the challenges that come with growing up in the spotlight as the daughter of Michael Jackson.
The actress’s comments come as she opens up about her own recovery journey in her memoir, This Is Me: The Reckoning. Panettiere has previously discussed her addiction and rehab experiences, including a long treatment stay that she says helped her begin to feel like herself again.
In a recent interview promoting the book, Panettiere said spending eight months in rehab during her third stay in treatment made a major difference in her recovery. She described that period as a time to let her mind heal and “rewire,” explaining that she had never remained in treatment that long before. Panettiere said progress came gradually, but by the eight-month mark she realized she had begun to move past the hardest part of recovery.
She said the experience taught her that healing requires patience, but that the reward is worth it. According to Panettiere, no drug can match the feeling of real health, happiness, and contentment.
Both women have used recent interviews and public appearances to speak openly about sobriety, mental health, and the ongoing nature of recovery. Panettiere’s support for Jackson adds another example of how shared experiences with addiction can create understanding between public figures who are navigating similar challenges.
