Hayden Panettiere explained on Wednesday’s episode of “Red Table Talk” why it is “terrifying” to discuss her issues with her ex-boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko in the media.
Since 2018, Klitschko has resided with their 7-year-old daughter, Kaya Klitschko, in Europe, where he has sole custody.
At approximately the 24-minute point of the broadcast, Panettiere revealed to hosts Jada Pinkett Smith and Adrienne Banfield Norris and their guest co-host Kelly Osbourne that she had previously been concerned about “upsetting” Klitschko by discussing her custody battle in depth for the first time.
“It’s simply terrifying. You should avoid angering anyone, especially the person in charge of your child “She continued.
Earlier in the chat, when discussing Klitschko and his brother Vitali, she referred to them as “icons” in their native Ukraine. Wladimir is a former professional boxer from Ukraine, while Vitali is the current mayor of Kyiv.
When Panettiere was battling alcoholism and depression in 2018 (as she previously disclosed in a July interview with People), she eventually signed over “complete custody” of Kaya to Klitschko, but she added on “Red Table Talk” that it was “not entirely my decision.”
She stated that she had sent Kaya to Ukraine for a routine visit and would use the opportunity to become “well.”
“When I got better, things could change, and she could visit me, and I could spend time with her,” she added. Instead, Klitschko informed her that he desired custody of Kaya while she was in Ukraine. Panettiere expressed surprise at the request.
Panettiere with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko in 2016.
Photograph by Sean Zanni/Getty Images
The “Heroes” actress described Ukraine as “male-dominated” and stated that due to the country’s regulations, she “couldn’t do anything” to oppose Klitschko’s court request for full custody. She described signing the documents to finalize the agreement as “the most devastating thing I’ve ever, ever had to do.”
Panettiere maintained throughout the interview that Klitschko was a good parent, but expressed concern that he was unaware of Kaya’s emotional needs as she matures and realizes she has so little time with her mother.
“I also recall her father contacting me and telling me that Kaya was asking other ladies whether she could call them mama,” she stated. “And both my breath and heart stopped. And he was chuckling, as he found this amusing.”
Panettiere stated that she found this knowledge to be “horrifying.” She continued, “That’s a trauma reaction, that’s a scream for help.”
Panettiere in 2017.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
She told Kaya that the small child began regressing and speaking nonsensical baby language when she was told about it.
The “Nashville” star claimed she had never put Kaya in risk. “They would never take a child from me in this nation. Never would have occurred. I believe this was the reason she was desired there “She stated,
Panettiere stated that she has received no “hints” that she would be able to bring her daughter to the United States in the near future, but that she has “hope” that the situation will change in the future.
The Klitschko spokesman did not react to Insider’s request for comment immediately.