Hayden Panettiere has addressed long-standing accusations that she abandoned her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, in an interview published on May 11, 2026. The actress spoke about the difficult period in her life, which included struggles with addiction and personal challenges.
In the interview, Panettiere explained that her decision to step back from parenting was not a choice made lightly, but rather a result of her own battles. She stated that she needed to focus on her health and recovery to be a better mother in the long run.
The actress has been open about her past struggles with alcohol and opioid addiction, which led to her entering rehab multiple times. Her daughter Kaya lives primarily with her ex-husband, Wladimir Klitschko, in Ukraine.
Panettiere emphasized that she maintains a relationship with her daughter and is committed to being present in her life moving forward. The interview marks one of the first times she has directly responded to the criticism surrounding her parenting.
