Gayle King recently criticized Lesley Vogel, the mother of the late actress Hayden Panettiere, for her comments following the actress’s death. King expressed her displeasure during a broadcast of “CBS Mornings,” where she was joined by co-hosts Kelly O’Grady and Vladimir Duthiers. The discussion focused on the tragic news surrounding Panettiere, who was found unresponsive and pronounced dead on August 16 at the age of 36.
Vogel had spoken to NBC News about her daughter, saying that Hayden “sadly lost her way” and that she wished Hayden had remained true to herself. King reacted to Vogel’s remarks by suggesting they were not helpful, stating that they did not seem to honor the memory of her daughter. Duthiers noted that Panettiere had openly talked about her struggles in the past and criticized Vogel for bringing up painful memories in such a difficult time.

King pointed out that Panettiere had previously described her relationship with her mother as complicated. She remarked that Vogel’s comments after Hayden’s death could have been more supportive. O’Grady agreed, saying it would have been better if Vogel had focused on celebrating her daughter’s talents instead.
Panettiere’s father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, was the first to release a statement about her death, expressing his deep sadness and highlighting her impact on those who loved her. Two days later, Vogel reflected on her daughter’s career, noting the challenges of growing up in Hollywood. She mentioned that many young people in the entertainment industry face difficulties and can sometimes lose their way.
Vogel also spoke about the loss of Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen, who passed away unexpectedly at 28 in 2023. She expressed hope that the two were together and at peace. Over the years, Panettiere had acknowledged the distance in her relationship with her mother, recently sharing her desire for reconciliation.
What do you think about the comments made by Lesley Vogel?
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Source: Amo Media, by Amo Media