Hayden Panettiere’s Nashville co-star Sylvia Jefferies recently paid a moving tribute to her following her sudden passing.
For those unaware, the renowned American actress and singer, who became famous for playing Juliette Barnes in the ABC/CMT musical drama series Nashville, passed away at the age of 36 on August 16, 2026. Police have opened an investigation to find out her cause of death.
Among other stars, after Panettiere’s unexpected death, her Nashville castmate, Jefferies, paid emotional homage to her.
Sharing a picture with her, the 57-year-old American actress penned, “This hits deep. I’ve had to take the day to let the idea that Hayden is not with us, wash over me. I shoot straight from the hip. At times, Hayden was not easy to be around. I remember calling her a downright tornado. But she was our tornado.”
She went on to state that Panettiere “had an incredibly bright future ahead of her;” however, “her inner demons were at times too much to bear.”
Jefferies is in disbelief and taking her time to process the fact that the Scream star is no more. She is recalling scenes they filmed together, looking at her photographs, listening to her voicemails, and most importantly, she cannot forget her voice, especially the moment when Panettiere called her “Mama” as she shared her youth stories.
The 96 Minutes star wrote, “We seemed far apart, but we were very close in our hearts. Our birthdays even being one week apart. 20years (!) and one week apart.”
“Our hearts are shattered, knowing that you are not just a phone call or text away, but we can rest easy knowing that you’re at peace, with your brother, dancing in that water with the dolphins for whom you cared so dearly. I love you, sweet girl. Always, in all ways. Love, Mama,” Hayden Panettiere concluded.
