Hayden Panettiere has revealed that she was forced into bed with a naked, very famous actor when she was 18 years old. The actress, now 36, shared the disturbing incident during an appearance on Jay Shetty's 'On Purpose' podcast, ahead of the release of her memoir 'This Is Me: A Reckoning'.
Panettiere said she was led to a small room on a boat by someone she had grown to trust and saw as a protector. 'She physically put me in the bed next to this undressed man who was very famous,' Panettiere recalled. 'This was just an average day for him and this is something that happens all the time.'
Once her friend left, Panettiere said she became ferocious and bolted from the room, hiding wherever she could on the boat. She realised that nobody would be empathetic to her situation, as it was nothing new to them. 'I let the lion inside me come out,' she said. 'My hair stood on end and I became ferocious. I was like, 'This is not happening.''
Panettiere, known for her role in 'Heroes', reflected on her age at the time, saying she felt capable of making healthy decisions but was not fully aware of the dangers around her. 'It wasn't until I found myself in predicaments that I realised my perspective completely shifted and I realised I was in danger,' she added.
The actress is currently promoting her memoir, which explores her struggles with postpartum depression, addiction, trauma, domestic abuse and loss. The book was originally due for release on 12 May but has been pushed back to 19 May.
