This Actress Opens up About Her Real Sexuality at 36: 'Better Late than Never, Right?'

A former child star just made a deeply personal confession at 36 after years in the spotlight. She revealed she hid a major part of herself for decades before finally deciding to speak openly.

For years, she was one of Hollywood's most recognizable blonde stars. Fans watched her grow up onscreen, date famous men, survive public scandals, and battle heartbreaking personal struggles.

But behind all those headlines, the actress says she was hiding a huge part of herself.

From Child Stardom to Constant Scrutiny

She entered the entertainment industry before she could even walk.

According to an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, the actress signed with Wilhelmina Models at just 8 months old and booked her first commercial by 11 months.

As she got older, the pressure only intensified.

The former child star admitted she became a "people pleaser" while trying to survive an industry obsessed with headlines and controversy. She said the scrutiny escalated during her teenage years.

"It really started when I was 16 years old," she told the outlet. "People creating stories that were false about me."

She continued, "There have been a lot of preconceived ideas, and I've always tried to be open and honest. I felt like there was a big target on my back and all that mattered was what would make the biggest headlines and shock people the most."

The actress also revealed painful details about addiction, postpartum depression, rehab stays, and abusive relationships in her upcoming memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."

And while many people believed they already knew everything about her complicated love life, one revelation still managed to surprise the public.

Her Famous Relationships Hid a Bigger Secret

Over the years, the actress was linked to several high-profile men.

She famously dated her "Heroes" co-star Milo Ventimiglia, former Ukrainian world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, and later, Brian Hickerson.

But despite living much of her personal life in the public eye, there was still one deeply personal part of herself she never felt ready to share publicly.

Now, after years of staying silent about that part of her life, the actress is finally opening up in her own words.

Why She Waited Until 36 to Speak Publicly

The actress behind the shocking confession is no other than Hayden Panettiere.

Panettiere explained that she never felt there was a right moment to publicly discuss her attraction to women.

She said growing up in the spotlight made her feel pressured to appear perfect, while later she worried people would dismiss her honesty as part of a trend rather than something genuine.

"It's sad I had to wait until I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never, right?" she said.

The actress revealed she had explored relationships with women privately but struggled with the constant attention from paparazzi and the fear of losing control of her personal life.

"Yeah, I did," she said when asked whether she had dated women. "It was scary, though, because there were paparazzi always waiting for me outside."

She also admitted that her attraction to women began long before adulthood. "I was much more into women even as a child than I was men," Panettiere confessed.

But even then, she said she never fully allowed herself to emotionally commit because she feared having to hide the relationship from the world. That kind of conflict eventually led to the biggest moment of the interview.

As the conversation turned toward labels and identity, Panettiere appeared ready to finally embrace something she had avoided publicly for years.

And this time, she didn't hold back: "I'm comfortable to confidently say that yes, I am bisexual. I said it! This is the first time I got to say it out loud."

After years of painful headlines and personal struggles, Hayden Panettiere has opened up in her upcoming memoir about difficult chapters from her past, including addiction and her turbulent relationship with her last ex-boyfriend.

In a September 2022 report, details emerged about Hickerson's legal troubles, the couple's highly publicized relationship, and the actress' past statements about surviving abuse.

Who He Is

Hickerson is known as a real estate agent, but he also gave acting a shot in the hopes of finding success in Hollywood. In 2017, he appeared in the film "M.F.A.," in which he played Officer Williams.

He was born and raised in South Carolina. Still, he currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where he is actively pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.

Arrests, Abuse Allegations, and Legal Trouble

While Hickerson had the opportunity in the entertainment industry, he had been involved in multiple instances of breaking the law, which marred his public image and path toward stardom.

From 2018 to 2022, he was in the news for several alleged abusive incidents. According to Us Magazine, Hickerson allegedly had an altercation with his father in November 2018, leaving Panettiere, who was intoxicated at the time, feeling "frantic."

Seven months later, in May 2019, Hickerson was reportedly arrested for domestic violence after police discovered "redness and marks" on Panettiere's body after the couple argued.

The two patched things up shortly after the argument and were spotted holding hands afterward. But two weeks later, a Los Angeles courthouse charged Hickerson with felony domestic violence.

In the aftermath of Hickerson's case, the prosecutor requested a protective order for Panettiere. The issued order stated that it disallowed the emerging actor from coming within 100 yards of the "Nashville" actress.

Furthermore, the order barred Hickerson from communicating with the "Bring It On: All or Nothing" star in any way, which included sending her an email, calling, or texting her on the phone.

According to a source, one of Panettiere's loved ones was extremely concerned about her, saying she was "out of control" and begging her to stay away from Hickerson.

However, in September 2019, Hickerson's felony domestic violence case was dropped. However, a few months after his case was dismissed, he was arrested again for allegedly assaulting Panettiere in July 2020.

At least eight counts of domestic violence and assault — one misdemeanor and seven felonies — were reportedly filed against Hickerson. He was also charged for allegedly intimidating or influencing a witness in August 2020.

According to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, Hickerson pled no contest in April 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail but was ordered to serve four years of formal probation.

The court also imposed a $500 restitution order, a five-year protective order, and a requirement that he attend 52 domestic violence classes. The court also dropped the remaining six charges against him.

Another incident brought Hickerson again into the spotlight. It occurred in March 2022, when he reportedly fought with fellow men who dined at a restaurant inside a famous Los Angeles hotel. Hickerson and Panettiere were also in the restaurant.

The melee allegedly erupted after Hickerson remarked to someone who had left a low tip for a waitress. According to her representative, Panettiere was knocked out during the public brawl, but she suffered no injuries.

Immediately following the case in July 2020, Panettiere once issued a statement stating that she would reveal the truth about what had happened to her to empower people in abusive relationships. She added:

"I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I'm grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life."

Their Tumultuous Relationship and Painful Split

Hickerson and the entertainer had a four-year relationship. They began dating in the summer of 2018. According to Panettiere in a People and Good Morning America interview via a Daily Mail report, she started dealing with alcohol and drug abuse.

Their relationship started shortly after Panettiere parted ways with Klitschko, her former fiancé. Both share an only daughter, Kaya Evdokia.

Personal issues, alcohol, and drug abuse have contributed to the downfall of not only her and her ex-fiancé but also Hickerson. During her time with Hickerson, she said it was "a very difficult and complicated time in her life."

According to a source, one of Panettiere's loved ones was highly concerned about her, saying she was "out of control" and begging her to stay away from Hickerson. The T.V. star fully admitted that she was not at her best.

After a difficult, on-and-off relationship, Hickerson and Panettiere ultimately separated for good. Hickerson, who remains on probation for domestic violence charges, confirmed in July 2022 that the two were no longer together.

Hickerson expressed excitement about new beginnings, although neither he nor his former girlfriend would ever get back together. He revealed that he had previously sought professional help for his inappropriate behavior.

Hayden Panettiere said she and Hickerson remain on good terms despite their tumultuous relationship. She said she's working hard to "live in a place of forgiveness."