Hayden Panettiere Says She Is Bisexual at 36

Hayden Panettiere, known for 'Heroes' and 'Nashville,' has publicly shared she is bisexual at 36. Her memoir details her journey to self-acceptance.
By Newsroom | Entertainment, LGBTQ+ |

Los Angeles, CA – May 6, 2026 – Actress Hayden Panettiere, 36, has publicly stated she is bisexual. The revelation comes ahead of the release of her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, detailing her experiences and journey towards self-acceptance. Panettiere indicated that societal pressures and the scrutiny of child stardom contributed to her reluctance to share this aspect of her identity sooner.

Panettiere's statement, "It's sad that I had to wait till I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never, right?", frames her coming out as a long-delayed, yet ultimately affirming, step.

Hayden Panettiere Comes Out as Bisexual at 36: 'Better Late Than Never' - 1

The actress confirmed she has had relationships with women, noting that these experiences occurred "at a very young age." However, she described the process of keeping these relationships private as stressful and difficult to articulate, particularly given the public nature of her career.

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Factors Influencing Delayed Disclosure

Panettiere cited several reasons for not disclosing her sexuality earlier:

Hayden Panettiere Comes Out as Bisexual at 36: 'Better Late Than Never' - 2

  • Child Stardom Pressures: The need to maintain a certain image and avoid public judgment led her to feel "forced to be perfect at all times." This environment discouraged personal authenticity.

  • Fear of Misinterpretation: She expressed concern about being perceived as "jumping on the bandwagon" or that bisexuality was viewed as a "fad."

  • Lack of Privacy: The constant presence of paparazzi made it challenging to navigate personal relationships discreetly.

Her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, is set to be released on May 12th and May 19th by Grand Central Publishing. The book is described as a comprehensive account of her life, including her struggles with addiction and grief. Panettiere also touched upon past traumatic relationships, describing the difficulty of disentangling herself from "abusive" individuals, likening it to removing deeply entangled weeds.

Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has publicly dated men in the past. Her most recent public relationship was with Brian Hickerson, which ended in 2020 following multiple domestic violence arrests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hayden Panettiere say she is bisexual?
Hayden Panettiere, 36, revealed she is bisexual, stating that pressures from being a child star and fear of judgment made her wait until now to share this part of herself.
Q: When did Hayden Panettiere reveal she is bisexual?
Hayden Panettiere revealed she is bisexual on May 6, 2026, ahead of her memoir release.
Q: What is Hayden Panettiere's memoir about?
Hayden Panettiere's memoir, 'This Is Me: A Reckoning,' details her life experiences, including her journey to self-acceptance, struggles with addiction, grief, and past relationships.
Q: When is Hayden Panettiere's memoir released?
Hayden Panettiere's memoir, 'This Is Me: A Reckoning,' is set to be released on May 12th and May 19th, 2026.
Q: What pressures did Hayden Panettiere face?
Hayden Panettiere cited pressures from child stardom, the need to seem perfect, fear of being misunderstood about her bisexuality, and a lack of privacy due to paparazzi as reasons for not disclosing her identity sooner.