Hayden Panettiere’s mom Lesley Vogel issues new statement on estrangement amid backlash

Lesley Vogel said their separation was 'not for lack of care or love,' but attributed it to the involvement of a 'toxic individual'
Lesley Vogel’s earlier remarks, in which she said Hayden Panettiere had 'lost her way' and followed the 'wrong path,' drew criticism (Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic)
Lesley Vogel’s earlier remarks, in which she said Hayden Panettiere had 'lost her way' and followed the 'wrong path,' drew criticism (Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Hayden Panettiere's estranged mother, Lesly Vogel, has shared a new statement amid the backlash from her previous statement about her deceased daughter.

She stated that their estrangement is basically “not for lack of care or love.” This came after she was bashed by Gayle King, Holly Robinson Peete, and Ruby Rose.

Initially, Vogel shared that her late 36-year-old daughter had taken “the wrong path” and failed to pay any tribute.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 11:  Actress Hayden Panettiere and her mother Lesley Vogel arrive at the InStyle/Warner Bros. after party for the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California.  (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)
Actress Hayden Panettiere and her mother Lesley Vogel arrive at the InStyle/Warner Bros. after party for the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California (Lester Cohen/WireImage)

Hayden Panettiere’s mom Lesley Vogel speaks out on estrangement after backlash

In a new statement to ET, Vogel said, "Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love. It was due to the involvement of a toxic individual who I believe led to her death," she continued in her statement, which was published on Thursday, August 20.

She continued, “Hayden was a beautiful and talented young woman who unfortunately became involved with the wrong person, and although her family tried to extricate him from her life, we were unable to be successful.”

Even though Vogel didn't mention who the “wrong person” was or who “he” is, it is worth noting that Vogel has previously blamed Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.

“I hope all remember Hayden for the beautiful human being inside her and her gift to the world from her time on this earth,” Vogel wrote. “My heart is with you, Hayden. Mama,” she concluded.

What Lesly Vogel initially commented about her deceased daughter 

Just a day after Panettiere's death on August 16, the actor's mother said, “I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments."

"And I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry- it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path," she told NBC News.

“People, they feel pushed into things, even the managers and agents want to control them, and I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself, and I think Hayden sadly lost her way and I wish it were different,” she added.

Tracking her comments, Panettiere had previously talked about the estranged relationship between her and her mother.



“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.”

“After 20 years of trauma, I took the advice of professionals and chose the no-contact route. As many parents of entertainment children [know], we are all too familiar with the painful observation of watching the self-destructive paths they sometimes choose." She said at that time. "No parent hopes for this scenario; we want our children to be the best of themselves and live a peaceful, joyful life!”

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