Hayden Panettiere opens up about health after video interview sparks speculation

Hayden Panettiere is taking the rumor mill head-on.

The actress opened up about her health journey in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday after a recent video interview with People magazine sparked speculation online.

"It's unfathomable that I'm even in this position, but I feel forced to address it in a space where I won't be criticized for how fast or slow I speak," Panettiere wrote.

During the People interview, published Wednesday, Panettiere got candid about the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, as well as her relationship with 9-year-old daughter Kaya.

The video drew mixed reactions on social media, with some scrutinizing Panettiere's speech and appearance.

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"Struggles to enunciate (and) slurred speech. Eyes glazed. Thoughts?" @BarkJack wrote on X.

"Hayden Panettiere, wow what happened?! 🤦🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️" X user @RedPill_Goku_3 wrote.

Others came to Panettiere's defense amid concerns about her health.

"Hayden Panettiere's recent interview shows a failure in media ethics and PR support," @contreciatharpe wrote. "Her slurred speech sparked assumptions, but her publicist's job was to protect her narrative, not leave her vulnerable. Hayden deserved better."

"I sincerely hope Hayden Panettiere is doing okay," @BarnOfDollars wrote. "That interview certainly didn’t showcase her at her best, but she spoke too eloquently and coherently for me to instantly assume she's unwell. I've taken meds for anxiety and even migraines that can slur your speech."

'I lost half my soul':Hayden Panettiere breaks silence on younger brother's death

Panettiere has previously opened up about her struggles with postpartum depression and drug addiction.

Hayden Panettiere says she was 'exhausted' during People interview

In her Instagram post on Sunday, Panettiere said she didn't sleep in the two days leading up to her photoshoot and interview with People magazine because one of her dogs was "recovering from an emergency surgical procedure."

"The interview started well, and for the record, its beginning is not included in the version PEOPLE Magazine posted," Panettiere wrote. "I was exhausted. My rep stopped the interview early as it became obvious that I was fading — especially as the subject matter became heavier."

The "Amber Alert" star added that her team offered to redo the interview or conduct a follow-up discussion due to Panettiere's alleged tiredness, but she said they were told by the magazine interviewer that a reshoot "wasn’t necessary."

USA TODAY has reached out to People magazine for comment.

'I was drowning':Hayden Panettiere says she put herself in rehab in 2015 for addiction

"Grief looks different on everyone.  Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone's business and is between me and my doctor," Panettiere continued. "I am doing interviews to promote my new film because I am proud of it."

Panettiere concluded her post with a criticism of the "toxicity of social media and a news cycle that is driven by clickbait."

"Mental health is so important, and I hope those reading this now understand that what you say hiding behind a computer screen can have a detrimental impact on someone," Panettiere said. "Like I've said before, I am a work in progress. We all are."

Contributing: Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY