Anna Paquin shares rare message about child stars following Hayden Panettiere’s death

Anna Paquin is speaking out on the dark side of child stardom, six days after the death of former child star Hayden Panettiere.

Paquin, who became an Oscar winner at just 11 in 1994 for her role in “The Piano,” took to Instagram Friday to honor the late “Heroes” alum, as well as fellow former child stars Michelle Trachtenberg and Daveigh Chase.

“It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specifically pre-sexualized female, child ‘stars’ have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends,” the “X-Men” star, 44, wrote. “We were not as protected by the ‘systems’ that look great on paper, as we are supposed to be.”

Paquin added that she, Panettiere, Trachtenberg and Chase belonged to a “strange, small club,” urging other former child stars to reach out to her if they are in need of help.

“You are worthy of support, no matter how our industry made us feel,” she continued. “I believe you, and I will stand by your side.”

“You aren’t alone. Let’s have each other’s backs. It might make public disclosure less terrifying,” Paquin concluded.

Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, in Greenville, South Carolina, at age 36, her family confirmed.

She was found unresponsive at a residence where she had been temporarily staying — with 911 dispatch audio referencing a possible “overdose” — and first responders pronounced her dead after administering “advanced cardiac life support.”

Trachtenberg died at age 39 on Feb. 26, 2025, after she was found “unconscious and unresponsive” at her New York apartment. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later confirmed that her death was due to complications of diabetes mellitus and ruled the manner of death natural.

Chase died at age 35 on June 16, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later determining that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was her primary cause of death.

Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, had previously said she was battling meningitis and several serious blood infections that led to sepsis and caused her body to shut down.

Alexa PenaVega, another former child star who rose to fame through Disney Channel and the “Spy Kids” franchise, also paid tribute to Panettiere, Trachtenberg and Chase following Panettiere’s death.

“Hayden, Michelle, Daveigh … my heart is heavy today,” PenaVega, 37, wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “These aren’t just names from my childhood. They’re girls I grew up alongside, sharing a world that was exciting and also incredibly hard.”

“We were kids navigating something so big, and not everyone had the foundation or the support they deserved,” she continued. “Today, I’m grieving and holding their families close in my prayers and thinking of everyone still fighting battles we can’t see.”

PenaVega concluded, “Hug your people close today.”