Lesley Vogel, the estranged mother of the late Hayden Panettiere, has publicly criticized television host Gayle King for her remarks following the actress's death. Vogel described King's comments as “shameful” and “unconscionable,” expressing deep disappointment in the perceived lack of professionalism and compassion.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Vogel said, “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.” She added that no one had reached out to her before King’s public critique.
King, during an episode of “CBS Mornings,” had commented on Vogel's initial statement following Panettiere’s apparent overdose death on August 16. Vogel had told NBC News that her daughter was an “amazingly talented person” and acknowledged the struggles young people face in the entertainment industry. Vogel also voiced her belief that Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, who was with her at the time of her death, was a “toxic individual” who contributed to her passing.
Responding to Vogel's statement on air, King remarked, “You know, guys, you read this and all I can think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing.’” King further commented on the missed opportunity for Vogel to eulogize her daughter more positively, contrasting it with the statement made by Panettiere's father, Skip Panettiere, which celebrated the actress’s “incredible light.” King’s colleagues on the show, including Vladimir Duthiers and Kelly O’Grady, echoed her sentiment, with Duthiers stating it was “unseemly” for Vogel to highlight past trauma so soon after her daughter's death.
Amid the criticism, Vogel released another statement to Entertainment Tonight, addressing her estrangement from her daughter. "Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love," Vogel stated. She reiterated her belief that a "toxic individual" was involved in her daughter's death.
This situation follows past tensions between Vogel and Panettiere. In May, following the publication of Panettiere's memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” Vogel had spoken to Page Six, suggesting that some of the book's content was intended to “sell books” and that she had maintained no contact with her daughter for 20 years, following professional advice due to past trauma.
Panettiere herself had previously commented on her relationship with her mother, telling Us Weekly in May, “We don’t have a relationship right now. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day.”