Hayden Panettiere says ex Wladimir Klitschko left her no choice but to give up daughter amidst addiction

Panettiere who has been open about her struggles with addiction—recently shared that there initially 'wasn't a discussion' between her and Klitschko regarding him getting full custody in 2018
UPDATED SEP 28, 2022
Hayden Panettiere claimed her husband Wladimir Klitschko did not give her a choice to keep custody of their daughter (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images, Gerald Matzka/Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere claimed her husband Wladimir Klitschko did not give her a choice to keep custody of their daughter (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images, Gerald Matzka/Getty Images)

CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA: Hayden Panettiere opened up about the 'upsetting moment' when she had to give up on the custody of her child to her ex-husband, Wladimir Klitschko in 2018 due to her substance abuse. However, she claimed, her ex-husband did not give her any choice when it came to signing over full custody of their daughter, Kaya. 

The 'Nashville' actress made the shocking revelation in an upcoming episode of 'Red Table Talk' which was previewed by People Magazine. Panettiere described signing the custody papers as the "most heartbreaking thing I've ever had to do in my life."

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When the host, Banfield Norris asked, "You thought this was an agreement that you came to that it was best that your daughter be with her dad," To which the actress responded, "At first it was not because it wasn't a discussion."



 

Further, she added, "If [Klitschko] had come to me and said I think because of where you're at right now and your struggles that you're having it would be good for her to be over here with me for a while — which if I had probably had enough of a conversation I would've said okay that makes sense, I get it, I'll come there to visit and stuff like that." She then continued, "Because of the way that it was done, it was very upsetting," she continues. "I mean, it was the worst signing those papers, the most heartbreaking thing I've ever, ever had to do in my life."



 

The actress further added, "I was gonna go work on myself, I was gonna get better, and when I got better then things would change and she could come to me and I could have my time with her but that didn't happen." 



 

In an earlier interview with People, she said, "Oh my gosh, that child came out of me, But she is smarter than me. And she's going to be taller than me!." Even in this interview, she also described giving up custody, "It was the hardest thing I could do, but the best thing for my daughter was to make sure she was okay, take care of myself and make sure I could be a good mom to her. And sometimes that means letting go." The 33-year-old actress also claimed, "She has a beautiful life,I was just with her. She's just an amazing child. She's smart and she's funny and for whatever reason, she still loves me."



 

Panettiere has also spoken about her postpartum struggles to Goodmorning America, "I didn't have any negative feelings towards my child. I just knew I was deeply depressed." The Nashville actress went on to state, "People around me were more concerned about my usage of alcohol than they ever were about the postpartum depression." Furthermore, she stated, "I felt like I was walking blind, and I don't like to ask for help either. I wanna be that strong, stoic woman. But, I mean, when you see a happy-go-lucky girl for years suddenly on the floor in a puddle of mess and alcohol, you gotta know something is wrong."

The Facebook Watch original series 'Red Table Talk' airs Wednesdays at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET. New episodes stream weekly.

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