Singer-songwriter James Blunt has broken his silence on speculation linking him to an incident described in the posthumously published memoir of actress Hayden Panettiere. Blunt shared a link to a Substack article on Monday, written by journalist Dean Piper, which argues against the singer being the unnamed musician mentioned in Panettiere's book, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."
In her memoir, released last year, Panettiere recounted an experience from when she was 18 years old. She wrote that a friend brought her onto a yacht to meet a British singer-songwriter in his 30s. Upon entering a cabin, she discovered the musician naked in bed. Internet speculation had pointed to Blunt as the individual in question.
Blunt's representatives had previously denied any such involvement when contacted by media outlets in recent months. The Substack article shared by Blunt offers a detailed refutation of the claims, citing timeline discrepancies and other factors.
Piper's analysis highlighted that a photograph of Blunt and Panettiere from Cannes in 2009 was taken when the "Heroes" actress was nearly 20, not 18 as stated in the memoir for the alleged encounter. The article also noted that rumors were initially fueled by a 2009 piece by Piper suggesting the pair were seen together and appeared flirtatious at a charity event.
Panettiere died at the age of 36 from a suspected overdose on August 16. Her death occurred at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, where she was accompanied by her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. The Drug Enforcement Administration has joined the investigation into her death.
Within her memoir, Panettiere described the encounter with the unnamed singer-songwriter as deeply disturbing. She detailed how her friend encouraged her to get into bed with the man, but Panettiere ultimately refused and left the cabin, later booking a hotel on the mainland. She expressed feeling betrayed by her friend's actions, likening the experience to being treated like a "call girl."