Diana Jenkins Denies Involvement After Memoir Speculation Links Her to Hayden Panettiere's Account

Diana Jenkins is pushing back against online speculation connecting her to allegations detailed in Hayden Panettiere's upcoming memoir.

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member, 52, responded through her representative after internet users began theorizing that Jenkins was the trusted older female friend Panettiere referenced during a recent podcast appearance. Panettiere had described how someone she trusted placed her in bed with an undressed, high-profile man when she was 18 years old.

During her sit-down with Jay Shetty, Panettiere discussed her new book, This Is Me: A Reckoning, and recounted the incident that took place on a yacht. She explained that the older woman escorted her to a small room and physically positioned her next to the unnamed famous man, who acted as though the situation were routine.

Speculation about Jenkins' involvement reportedly stemmed from her visibility at Hollywood events during that period, as well as Panettiere's appearance in Jenkins' 2008 photography book.

Jenkins' representative moved swiftly to address the rumors, issuing a statement to TMZ that read: "Diana has had to deal with false online rumors before, and sadly this is just another example of that. So let me be 100% clear about this: It most certainly is not Diana, and anyone who claims it is her will be sued."

The statement added that Jenkins has previously pursued legal action against individuals who made false claims about her, with those cases settling in her favor.

In her podcast interview, Panettiere emphasized the significance of her relationship with the woman involved, describing her as someone she had learned to trust and view as a protector. She detailed being led downstairs into a confined space where she was then placed in the bed next to the undressed man.

Panettiere's ex-partner, Brian Hickerson, has also commented on abuse allegations she includes in the memoir. Jenkins departed from RHOBH in 2023.