Hayden Panettiere reveals in her newly released memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," that she was exposed to an inappropriate encounter with an "Oscar-winning actor and director" when she was just 19 years old. The "Nashville" actress, now 36, describes the shocking incident that took place at a friend's "industry" party in Los Feliz, California.
Panettiere notes that the party consisted of only a small group of men, including herself and her friend, who were gathered together talking, drinking, and smoking weed. She recalls feeling immediately uncomfortable as the men seemed to be "a little too comfortable together," as if they knew something she didn't.
After about half an hour, Panettiere was about to say goodbye to her friend when the Oscar winner approached her. He wished her a good night and warned her to "be careful when you leave because someone spit their gum out somewhere, and I got some on my pants." He then allegedly directed her to look down.
Panettiere writes, "I looked down and recoiled. This well-respected, award-winning actor's testicles were hanging out from his unzipped fly." She adds that the incident left her "shocked," despite not physically hurting her.
The "Bring It On" star also details her physically violent relationship with ex-partner Brian Hickerson, which was marred by multiple domestic violence incidents and arrests. Panettiere also opens up about her relationship with "Heroes" co-star Milo Ventimiglia, whom she dated when she was 18 and he was 29; comes out as bisexual; and writes about her complicated relationship with her estranged mother, Lesley Vogel.
Vogel, who was also Panettiere's manager, has hit back at her daughter's recollections during her press tour, telling Page Six exclusively that she believes "the present drama is partially to sell books."
"This Is Me: A Reckoning" is now available.
