Hayden Panettiere Talks About Being In An Abusive Relationship: 'Very Dark And Complicated'

Hayden Panettiere has opened up about being in an abusive relationship with ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson.

"It was a very dark and complicated time in my life," the 32-year-old actress told People on Wednesday. "But a lot of women go through what I went through, and I want people to know it's OK to ask for help."

Panettiere, who began dating Hickerson in 2018, revealed how she "wanted to party" at that time and do everything that she wasn't supposed to do, adding, "Acting was my life, but I felt so bad about myself that I lost trust in myself. And that is very detrimental."

"The idea of not having a responsibility was very appealing at the time," she said.

The former couple dated on and off since 2018, until they ended their relationship this year.

Panettiere and Hickerson got into a brawl with a group at Sunset Marquis hotel located in Hollywood in March this year.

The actress addressed the incident and said, "It was not my best behavior, it was not anyone’s best behavior. But it was not as insane as it was made to look, and everyone is OK."

A Twitter user shared the video of the brawl.

[VIDEO]: Hayden Panettiere and her BF Brian Hickerson got into a BRAWL with people from the Bar at Sunset Strip Hotel last night. pic.twitter.com/tVrMGMz30k
— Obiscure Nick (@ObiscureNick) March 25, 2022

Hickerson was also charged with domestic violence in May 2019 after an incident with Panettiere. The actress received a protective order at that time.

However, the charges were dropped against Hickerson, and the couple came back together. After a year, Hickerson was once again charged with eight domestic violence charges.

Considering their current status, the couple are not together anymore.

During the interview, the actress explained she is "open to people who are willing to get help and make amends. He’s gone to treatment and done his time. And I’m trying to live in a place of forgiveness. I think he has done his time and was willing to get help."

"I think about the things I have done in my life that people forgave me for," she added. "Making amends is a really important thing that you learn in treatment. And it gives you a lot of inner peace."