Hayden Panettiere's Mother Disputes Memoir Allegations, Claims Daughter Using Book for Publicity

Lesley Vogel, mother of actress Hayden Panettiere, has issued a statement in response to allegations made in her daughter's newly released memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.

The 36-year-old Scream star has opened up about her strained relationship with her mother, who previously managed her career. In interviews about the book, Panettiere confirmed that the two are currently estranged.

"Unfortunately, we don't have a relationship right now. But that doesn't mean that I don't leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day," Panettiere told Us Weekly regarding her current dynamic with her mother.

In her response, Vogel suggested that the memoir's release is partly a marketing strategy. "The present drama is partially to sell books," she stated.

Vogel's statement outlined what she characterized as a persistent behavioral pattern, describing "a personality 'style' which manifests as a need for control, entitlement and a lack of empathy." She claimed this condition cannot be resolved, despite ongoing support efforts.

"No matter the encouragement given, it will never be enough," Vogel told Page Six. "This personality style does not accept responsibility for life choices and therefore feels they have no need to alter their behavior."

Vogel went on to detail her decision to implement no-contact following two decades of what she described as trauma. "After 20 years of trauma, I took the advice of professionals and chose the no-contact route," she explained. "As many parents of entertainment children know, we are all too familiar with the painful observation of watching the self-destructive paths they sometimes choose."

She reflected on the broader challenges of parenting in the entertainment industry, noting that "no parent hopes for this scenario; we want our children to be the best of themselves and live a peaceful, joyful life!"

Vogel emphasized that such situations remain beyond parental control. "You cannot save someone who does not want to be saved. Radical acceptance is the most difficult challenge any parent must embrace," she said.

The mother also characterized the patterns she has observed as typical when relationships end. "When someone leaves, the smear campaign begins; accusations, anger, belittling, gaslighting, etc. are the classic signs of this behavior style," Vogel stated. "The craving of drama and punitive action is traditional and to be expected."

Despite the rift, Vogel expressed that she is "now retired" and focused on finding "her personal path to a joyous and peaceful life," while maintaining "that flicker of hope [that Hayden], too, will find her path to inner peace."

Panettiere has discussed how her mother's management style affected her during childhood. The actress began her career in modeling at eight months old and became a child star shortly after. She described being intimidated by her mother during those early years and feeling apprehensive about her reactions to honest conversations.

"This is my way of doing it," Panettiere said of using the memoir to address these experiences, noting that she had been "scared" of her mother and feared her feelings would not receive "any positive reaction."

The memoir also touches on abuse allegations involving Panettiere's ex-partner, Brian Hickerson, who has also commented on the subject matter in the book.