Such a beautiful tribute!
Charles Esten, the actor who played Deacon Claybourne on the hit ABC series Nashville, has paid homage to his late co-star Hayden Panettiere with a moving speech and performance.
Singing at the Grand Ole Opry over the weekend, the songwriter took a moment to reflect on his time with the animal rights activist, telling the audience:
“You may have heard we in our Nashville family suffered a terrible loss in our dear, dear friend, Hayden Panettiere, who played incredible Juliet Barnes. And she was just a bright shining light, a firework.”
Hayden played the passionate, talented Juliette Barnes.
Related: Connie Britton Reacts To News Of Hayden’s Passing
Charles recalls how warm and friendly she was to him right away, and how easily they connected:
“She was such a great friend to me, so kind from the very beginning. When I walked out of my Nashville audition, my very first audition, I had done two scenes and I played two songs. And I opened the door to go out of my audition and it bumped into somebody kind of hard. And I went out there and it was Hayden Panettiere had been listening at the door just like Julia Barnes would, listening to me. And I came out, she went, oh, my god, you were so good. You were so good. She was so kind to me. And I said, we talked for a moment. I was already a huge fan of hers from heroes, the cheerleader, save the world. And I said, I’m a huge fan. And she was going in to do her audition and I was leaving and I said, ‘I’ll see you on the set.’ And I was just joking. I was nowhere near landing this job. And about a month later, that’s how long it took me to get that role on Deacon. I came here to Nashville. I showed up on the set and she pointed right at me. She goes, ‘I’ll see you on the set.’”
Instant friendship!
But as Charles went on to discuss, he’d later realize it wasn’t just encouragement she was giving him. She boldly gave it to the people in charge, too! On his behalf!
He explained:
“I was later told she walked into that audition. This was her audition now to play Julia Barnes. And before she said anything about herself, she told the casting director and the producers, the creator, she turned around and she said, ‘I don’t know who that guy is, but if you don’t hire him, you’re crazy.’“
Wow! Courageous move on Hayden’s part. But it paid off!
Charles of course landed the role, and he credits her for helping him get such a life-changing opportunity:
“She did that for me. And that’s who she was and how she was always. The very first scene I ever had with her was here, the Grand Ole Opry in the hallway right behind us here. And that’s why I want to play this song for my dear friend who I’m gonna miss so much for so long. We all are. This is called Somewhere in the Sunshine.”
So touching. You can watch his performance here.
This isn’t the first tribute he’s paid Hayden. Last week, Charles took to Instagram to share some photos from their time together, writing:
“We became fast friends, working very hard to play those 2 troubled Nashvillians, but always having fun and laughing a whole lot along the way. She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette. What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend. She was always extremely kind to my family, especially my wife, Patty, who I’m certain she liked even more than me. Together, we are heartbroken that she is gone, and praying for her family, and for all those who, like us, will miss and mourn her so dearly. God bless you, Hayden. Rest In Peace and Light”
You can see the full post (below):
As readers sadly know, Hayden passed away at 36 on Sunday, August 16 in South Carolina. She was staying with on-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach at an Airbnb rental.
Authorities have opened an investigation into her death that is ongoing, though Zach has since shared his account of what happened that day. You can read his statement here.
As we’ve said before, Hayden was a remarkable light in the world. She raised awareness for many causes, notably both animal rights and postpartum depression. Her legacy will live on through the positive impact she left on society, her brilliant performances on screen, the love and compassion she showed others, and of course, through her daughter, Kaya.
To learn more about postpartum depression, CLICK HERE or HERE.
To learn more about Hayden’s work for animal rights, CLICK HERE or HERE.
[Image via ABC/YouTube.]
