Hayden Panettiere will always prioritize her daughter, Kaya, above all else. That's why the Nashville star dismissed claims that she "abandoned" the 11-year-old when she signed custody over to her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018, amid struggles with postpartum depression and addiction. "That couldn't be further from the truth," she said.
"The idea that anyone would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking," Hayden told host Jay Shetty during the May 11 episode of the On Purpose podcast. She called out the "misconception" that she was forced into treatment in the past, stating, "In fact, I have been the one who sought it out."
Describing herself as a "mother lion," the 36-year-old said she would have "burned the world down" for Kaya's sake. When Wladimir—whom she dated from 2009 to 2018—thought it would be best for Kaya to live in Europe with him while Hayden sought treatment, she made the "incredibly difficult" decision to relinquish custody.
"It became this horrible cycle for years of battling depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and substance abuse—and me just trying to find my way out of this darkness," Hayden continued. "By the time I finally got healthy, I felt like it would have been unfair and selfish of me to try to pull her out of this life that she had."
In fact, Hayden said she has an "incredible relationship" with Kaya, whom she frequently FaceTimes and visits in Europe. "She's an incredible little girl—so happy, speaks five languages, and rides horses," raved the Bring It On: All or Nothing actress. "She has two parents who love her, and I know in my heart that she feels supported."
"She is happy and healthy mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually," Hayden added. "She in no way feels abandoned—and that's something that I've made sure to stay on top of and be very aware of."
