Charles Esten Honors 36-Year-Old Hayden Panettiere at Grand Ole Opry 8 Days After Her Death
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 24
Charles Esten Honors 36-Year-Old Hayden Panettiere at Grand Ole Opry 8 Days After Her Death
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 24
Summary
Grand Ole Opry audiences on Aug. 22 saw Charles Esten deliver an emotional performance of “Somewhere In the Sunshine” in tribute to Hayden Panettiere, who died on Aug. 16 at 36.
Esten told the crowd their first “Nashville” scene together was filmed in the Opry building and said Panettiere, who “searched for peace for a long time,” had now found it.
Panettiere was found unresponsive in a South Carolina apartment, and her cause of death has not been determined.
Her death has prompted tributes across entertainment, with “Nashville” co-star Connie Britton calling her “bursting with brilliance” and Esten earlier saying he was “stunned and saddened.”
Panettiere was widely known for “Nashville,” “Heroes” and the “Scream” films, and had spoken publicly about postpartum depression and addiction.