Paris Finds Support

Hayden Panettiere has spoken out in support of Paris Jackson after the two stars publicly addressed their experiences with addiction and recovery.

On Thursday, May 28, the 36-year-old actress appeared on The Morning Show, where she was asked about Paris’ recent remarks on drinking and whether those struggles felt familiar to her. Paris, 28, the daughter of late music icon Michael Jackson, opened up on the topic during her Tuesday, May 26, interview on Jack Osbourne’s Trying Not to Die podcast.

In that conversation, Paris explained that alcohol affected her behavior and could make her act against the values she was taught growing up. She said drinking sometimes brought out a vindictive side of her, despite being raised to treat people with kindness and respect. The comments also fit into her ongoing effort to build an identity outside the Jackson family name, which remains tied to figures including Katherine Jackson and Janet Jackson, as she continues pursuing music.

Panettiere responded by commending Paris’ openness and strength.

“I actually just saw Paris and she’s an incredible person, incredibly strong. To see somebody who’s also battled addiction and made it through, she’s such a powerful, beautiful person,” Panettiere said on The Morning Show.

The Heroes and Nashville star also recognized the intense pressure Paris has lived with because of her famous family. Panettiere said she was proud to see Paris moving forward and releasing her own music.

Panettiere has also been sharing more about her personal recovery while promoting her memoir, This Is Me: The Reckoning. In a recent interview with Us Weekly, she discussed her third rehab stay, which lasted eight months, and said the longer treatment period helped her heal more fully and reconnect with herself.

Her latest remarks come as she looks back on a career that includes major television work, from Tim Kring’s Heroes to Callie Khouri’s Nashville. Panettiere and Paris’ comments reflect a broader change in celebrity coverage, where addiction and recovery are increasingly treated as serious personal journeys rather than tabloid spectacle.