Hayden Panettiere reveals new piercing on rare outing after sparking fan fears with 'slurred words' interview
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Hayden Panettiere kept it casual in a comfy ensemble as she arrived to JFK airport in New York City on Monday.
The Nashville actress, 35 - who recently sparked concern among fans due to 'slurred speech' in interviews - could be seen strolling through a crowded section of the airport while rolling a Louis Vuitton suitcase behind her.
She revealed a new septum piercing and dressed in black cargo sweatpants as well as a matching, cropped sweatshirt and black shirt underneath.
Panettiere slipped into a pair of white, Golden Goose sneakers that were loosely secured with laces.
Hayden also easily carried a $2,390 black, Givenchy purse on her left arm to hold a few items she needed.
Hayden Panettiere, 35, kept it casual in a comfy ensemble as she arrived to JFK airport in New York City on Monday
The star's blonde locks were swept up into a simple bun, preventing loose strands from falling onto her face.
At one point, Panettiere was spotted flashing a small smile as she prepared to head to her next destination.
Hayden's latest outing on Monday comes shortly after she sparked concern for her health after 'slurring words' during recent interviews last month.
The Bring It On: All Or Nothing actress has previously battled with opioid addiction as well as substance abuse in the past - but has been in recovery since 2021.
In September, she opened up to People about the death of her younger brother Jansen following his shock passing at age 28 due to an undiagnosed heart condition in February 2023 called cardiomegaly.
A 'concerning' video of the interview soon went viral - with the star also discussing her daughter Kaya, nine.
Social media users speculated that Hayden was 'not sober' due to 'slurred speech' and looking exhausted.
She dressed down for the day of travel in a pair of black, cargo sweatpants as well as a matching, cropped sweatshirt and black shirt underneath
Hayden's latest outing on Monday comes shortly after she sparked concern for her health after 'slurring words' during recent interviews last month
At the time, some took to X to share their thoughts, with one penning, 'Slurred speech eyes can barely stay open, trying to make it through long words clearly not sober. Very sad.'
Another fan typed, 'This is complete exploitation. This is an addict who is clearly very unsober,' while DWTS pro Peta Murgatroyd said, 'This interview should be removed ASAP!'
'You really didn't need to post this and do further harm this is just sad', one wrote, while another added, 'I'm shocked this is posted…it's uncomfortable and sad to watch.'
A social media user shared, 'Feels like someone is capitalizing on addiction, this should not have been posted.'
Not long afterwards, Hayden broke her silence over the concern of her People interview on her own Instagram page.
At the time, she uploaded a photo of herself posing in front of a large sign that spelled out her name.
'It's unfathomable that I'm even in this position, but I feel forced to address it in a space where I won't be criticized for how fast or slow I speak,' she explained to her followers.
Panettiere added that she hadn't slept for two days before the shoot due to her pet having an emergency and needing surgery.
A 'concerning' video of the interview soon went viral - with the star also discussing her daughter Kaya, nine
Social media users speculated that Hayden was 'not sober' due to 'slurred speech' and looking exhausted
'It was an 8-hour shoot followed by an on-camera interview that was supposed to last for 1 hour. The interview started well, and for the record, its beginning is not included in the version PEOPLE Magazine posted. I was exhausted.'
'My rep stopped the interview early as it became obvious that I was fading - especially as the subject matter became heavier.'
Hayden asked to re-do the interview but was told 'that it wasn't necessary' and added, 'The magazine does not grant approval for images or video interviews before they run. We see the interview when it goes live.'
The actress expressed that, 'Grief looks different on everyone. Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone's business and is between me and my doctor.'
She also added, 'The real issue here is the toxicity of social media, and a news cycle that is driven by click bait.'
'Mental health is so important, and I hope those reading this now understand that what you say hiding behind a computer screen can have a detrimental impact on someone.'
Hayden concluded with, 'For those of you who have come to my defense amidst this chaos I am so grateful. Like I've said before, I am a work in progress. We all are.'
However, the actress sparked worry once again as she sat down for a separate interview with Today's Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager last month.
'It's unfathomable that I'm even in this position, but I feel forced to address it in a space where I won't be criticized for how fast or slow I speak,' she explained to her followers
However, the actress sparked worry once again as she sat down for a separate interview with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager last month; seen in 2022 in West Hollywood
Fans claimed that Hayden had 'delayed speech' while answering questions and was also 'slurring words.'
During the interview, she promoted her film Amber Alert - as well as talking about her late brother and mental health.
Social media users once again took to X, with one adding, 'It was so hard watching Hayden Panettiere on @HodaAndJenna What happen to her? Her eyes are so blank and her speech seems so delayed.'
'I didn't want to be rude because I don't know what she's going through, but she seems heavily under some sort of substance in that interview,' another wrote.
A fan also shared, 'She was slurring words and her eyes stayed closed for too long at certain moments. Hope she's ok.'
In regards to her mental health following her brother's death, Hayden told Hoda and Jenna, 'I thought that people would have empathy, was going to be the only thing that was there, but I had no idea how my body, my mind, was going to react to grief.'
'It's wild what stress and grief and all these hormones and running through your body can do...'
When asked if she has 'processed' her brother's death, Panettiere admitted, 'I don't know that I fully have. I think it's something that transforms over time'; seen in 2019 in Hollywood
'I mean, make you faint. My mother, when she got stressed - she's gonna kill me for saying this - she used to get knots on her head. It comes in all different forms, so nobody should be embarrassed by it or judged for it.'
When asked if she has 'processed' her brother's death, Panettiere admitted, 'I don't know that I fully have. I think it's something that transforms over time.'
'Maybe the five stages of grief is for people who have had a heartbreak or find out some bad news. Yes, there are five stages, but there's so much more in between.
The star added, 'And when you lose somebody that you saw in all of the important moments in your life, standing right next to you, it just rocks your world. So it just changes...it changes.'