Hayden Panettiere admits having 'feelings' for ex Brian Hickerson who was jailed for domestic abuse against her
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: ‘Scream’ actress Hayden Panettiere still has feelings for her on-off convicted felon boyfriend Brian Hickerson who even served a jail sentence in 2021 for domestic violence against her.
Hayden Panettiere, who recently lost her brother, opened up about the present status of her relationship with Hickerson whom she still refers to as “babe.” In a recent interview, the ‘Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy’ star detailed her feelings for the convicted partner with whom she has maintained friendly terms since his release from jail.
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In a recent interview with New York Times, when the interviewer asked if the duo have resumed their relationship, the ‘Remember the Titans’ star hesitated before saying, “There are feelings there, yes.” She also added that “He knows he deserved what happened to him,” referring to his conviction.
The ‘Ice Princess’ star was later found saying the relationship was “contingent on him continuing on this road of recovery,” and she is well aware of how others may perceive her.
She, however, allowed him back in her life knowing fully well the consequences and not without much deliberation as she said, “I did not do any of this lightly”.
Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson's relationship history
In 2018, Panettiere broke up with her on-and-off former boxer boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares a daughter, Kaya. In the same year, when she was struggling with excessive alcohol dependence and substance abuse, she started dating Hickerson. In 2019, Hickerson was charged with domestic violence against Panettiere for the first time. In 2020, Hickerson was arrested on the charges that the ‘Heroes’ star was hit “with a closed fist on the right side of her face,” as reported by TMZ.
An angry Panettiere declared during that time, “I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me in the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” before adding, “I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again.”
After Hickerson served 13 days in jail in 2021 and has been on probation, their relationship appeared to improve for the better. Even though Panettiere maintained she has been just ‘friends’ with Hickerson, she was “open to people who are willing to get help and make amends. He's gone to treatment and done his time,” reports People.
In November 2022, they were spotted together again in LAX, as reported by Page Six. He was also seen with Panettiere after her brother Jansen died in February.
Jansen Panettiere
On February 19, Hayden's brother Jansen Panettiere died of heart complications and cardiomegaly, or enlarged heart at 28 years of age. He was a budding actor who worked on several projects like 'How High 2', 'The Perfect Game', and 'The Last Day of Summer'. During an appearance at 'Good Morning America' on March 6, a visibly emotional Panettiere could be seen saying, "He's right here with me," to which the interviewer said, "Always."
