Hayden Panettiere Mom Slams Gayle King Over Shameful Criticism Following Daughter Death
- Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has strongly criticized CBS Mornings host Gayle King and Megyn Kelly for making harsh public comments about her following the August 16 death...
- Following those remarks, King told her CBS Mornings co-hosts on August 19, "You know, guys, you read this, and all I think is, 'Thanks, Mom, for nothing,'" adding...
- I was very, very hurt and deeply disappointed in the lack of professionalism, the lack of compassion in slamming someone who’s lost two children, without even a modicum...
Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, has strongly criticized CBS Mornings host Gayle King and Megyn Kelly for making harsh public comments about her following the August 16 death of the 36-year-old actress. Interviews published on August 22 by the Daily Mail and Page Six capture Vogel expressing deep distress over the media reaction to statements she made shortly after her daughter was found dead at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina. According to NBC News, Vogel initially stated on August 18 that her daughter had sadly lost her way after growing up in a challenging entertainment industry.
Lesley Vogel Fires Back at CBS and Megyn Kelly
Television Hosts Slam Mother’s Initial Remarks
Following those remarks, King told her CBS Mornings co-hosts on August 19, “You know, guys, you read this, and all I think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing,'” adding that Vogel had chosen to leave the public with reminders of past trauma rather than celebrate her daughter’s life. On The Megyn Kelly Show, Megyn Kelly harshly criticized Vogel’s parenting history. Meanwhile, CBS Mornings co-host Vladimir Duthiers characterized the public statements made by the mother immediately following the death as unseemly, noting that the former child star had previously been open about her own struggles and could no longer respond. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Vogel condemned the commentary from television hosts as lacking basic compassion.
I was very, very hurt and deeply disappointed in the lack of professionalism, the lack of compassion in slamming someone who’s lost two children, without even a modicum of consideration. No one reached out to me before. It’s shameful. It’s unconscionable to me.
Prioritizing Logistics Over Immediate Grieving
The bereavement follows the 2023 death of Vogel’s son, Jansen Panettiere, who died at age 28. Vogel defended her public posture by explaining that she is prioritizing logistical demands over immediate grieving.
But this is not the time for me to be weak. I don’t have the luxury right now of being weak. I have too much to do for Hayden. When I’m done with that, then I will give myself the luxury to mourn — deeply mourn.
Daily MailAddressing Estrangement and Blaming a Toxic Individual
In response to the mounting criticism regarding her family dynamics, Vogel clarified her relationship with her daughter in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.
Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love. It was due to the involvement of a toxic individual who I believe led to her death.
Entertainment Tonight Vogel specifically pointed to Brian Hickerson, an on-again, off-again boyfriend who was present at the South Carolina property when the Nashville star was found unresponsive. Representatives for Gayle King did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Vogel’s recent remarks.