Brittany Snow is remembering Hayden Panettiere as a decided performer and supportive buddy following the actress’ loss of life at age 36. The “Pitch Good” star shared an emotional tribute to Panettiere, with whom she labored on each the long-running cleaning soap opera “Guiding Mild” and the “Kingdom Hearts” online game franchise. Snow mirrored on taking part in Panettiere’s sister for 3 years and revealed that she noticed components of herself in her former co-star, even when she by no means expressed these emotions straight.
Snow posted her tribute to Instagram Tales on Monday, August 17, praising Panettiere’s expertise, persona and resilience. “I used to be fortunate sufficient to play your sister for 3 years,” Snow wrote. “I associated to you a lot in so some ways. Ways in which I by no means even advised you. Your expertise was outstanding & so was your willpower to be a daring, shiny shining gentle. And also you have been.”
She continued, “At all times supportive, curious, humorous and courageous. You’ll all the time be remembered undoubtedly to your simple energy and spirit.”
Snow and Panettiere labored collectively as younger actresses on “Guiding Mild.” Snow portrayed Susan “Daisy” Lemay, whereas Panettiere performed Lizzie Spaulding. Their connection later prolonged into the “Kingdom Hearts” franchise, though their roles didn’t straight overlap. Snow voiced Namine, whereas Panettiere turned the unique English-language voice of Kairi.
Hayden Panettiere Helped Carry Kairi To Life
Panettiere voiced Kairi within the authentic “Kingdom Hearts” and returned for “Kingdom Hearts II,” serving to set up one of many Disney and Sq. Enix franchise’s central characters. Kairi is intently related to protagonist Sora and his buddy and rival Riku, making her a big a part of the sequence’ emotional core. Alyson Stoner later stepped into the function at totally different factors earlier than Panettiere returned. Stoner in the end voiced Kairi in 2019’s “Kingdom Hearts III.”
Following Panettiere’s loss of life, Stoner recorded a tearful message acknowledging the loss felt by the actress’ family members and the gaming neighborhood. “Hey, that is very uncooked. It’s very messy, and please give me some grace. I wished to acknowledge Hayden’s passing,” she started. “I’ve labored with Hayden, I’ve labored with Hayden’s brother Jansen [who died in 2023 from a heart condition], and from one Kairi to a different, I simply wished to acknowledge the super loss, not just for the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ household however in fact all the shut family members and the tens of millions of lives Hayden reached.
“Sending a lot like to Hayden’s household,” she continued, preventing again tears. “I’ll be considering of Hayden and the legacy that she has left, and sending a number of like to the Kingdom Hearts neighborhood too, and the way we’re sharing on this loss.”
‘Kingdom Hearts’ Pays Tribute To Its Unique Kairi
The official “Kingdom Hearts” social media accounts additionally honored Panettiere and acknowledged what her efficiency delivered to the function. “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Hayden Panettiere,” the assertion begins. “By way of her efficiency as Kairi, Hayden introduced heat, coronary heart, and an unforgettable voice to the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ sequence. Our ideas are along with her household, pals, and family members.”
The tribute arrived throughout an emotional second for the franchise. Followers had simply obtained a number of main updates about “Kingdom Hearts IV” throughout Disney’s D23 occasion, together with a brand new trailer and affirmation that the sport is anticipated to reach in 2027. The footage revealed that Sora will journey to a world impressed by Pixar’s “Coco.” It additionally included playable segments that includes Mickey, Donald and Goofy, together with the anticipated return of Riku.
‘Kingdom Hearts’ Reunion Takes On Somber Which means After Hayden Panettiere’s Dying
Through the “Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts” panel, longtime English voice actors Haley Joel Osment and David Gallagher appeared collectively to debate their respective roles as Sora and Riku. The actors, who started voicing the characters as youngsters, additionally delivered their first dwell efficiency collectively as Sora and Riku within the franchise’s 25-year historical past.
The celebratory second took on a extra somber which means following the loss of life of Panettiere, whose voice helped form the earliest chapters of the sequence.
Hayden Panettiere Additionally Starred In ‘Till Daybreak’
“Kingdom Hearts” was not Panettiere’s solely main online game function. The actress portrayed Samantha Giddings within the cinematic survival-horror recreation “Till Daybreak,” showing alongside a forged that included Rami Malek, Brett Dalton, Jordan Fisher and Peter Stormare.
Launched as an interactive horror expertise, the sport allowed gamers’ choices to find out which characters survived the night time. Panettiere’s character emerged as one in every of its most recognizable figures. “Till Daybreak” was tailored right into a film in 2025, though Panettiere didn’t seem within the movie. A sequel to the sport is scheduled for launch in 2027.
