Anna Paquin Criticizes Hollywood's Treatment of 'Pre-Sexualized' Child Actors Days After Hayden Panettiere's Death | Just Jared - Celebrity News and Gossip

Anna Paquin is calling out Hollywood over its treatment of child stars, particularly women, in light of Hayden Panettiere‘s tragic death.

In a statement shared to Instagram on Friday, Anna wrote, “It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specifically pre-sexualized female, child ‘stars’ have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends.

The True Blood alum continued, “We were not as protected by the ‘systems’ that look great on paper, as we are supposed to be.”

Hayden died on Sunday at the age of 36. She and Anna both starred in Scream 4, though they did not have scenes together. Similar to Hayden, Anna also started acting a very young age and became the second-youngest Best Supporting Actress winner at the 1994 Academy Awards for her performance in The Piano.

Hayden‘s ex Wladimir Klitschko is honoring her on what would have been her 37th birthday.

Her statement also referenced Michelle Trachtenberg, who died at 39 in February 2025, and Daveigh Chase, who passed away at 35 from AIDs in June.

“RIP HP, MT, DC and too many others,” she wrote. “It’s a strange small club we belong to and you are worthy of support no matter how our industry makes us feel.”

Hayden Panettiere‘s mom is blaming a “toxic” person for her daughter’s death in a new statement.

Anna went on call for people to private message her if they want to talk about their experiences.

“Literally DM me. 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,” she said.

Other actresses like Rose McGowan and Even Stevens‘ star Christy Carlson Romano have spoken out about Hollywood and child stars in light of Hayden‘s death.

Posted To:Anna Paquin Hayden Panettiere