Anna Paquin makes stark claim after Hayden Panettiere's death - USA Today

Anna Paquin, 44, issued an urgent message about the treatment and well-being of young performers following the death of Hayden Panettiere, who died on Aug. 16 at age 36 with a cause of death not yet confirmed.
Marking what would have been Panettiere's 37th birthday, Paquin argued that prematurely sexualized child stars are harmed by the entertainment industry and inadequately protected by systems that "look great on paper."
She paid tribute to fellow child actresses, writing "RIP HP, MT, DC," referencing Panettiere, Michelle Trachtenberg (who died in 2025 at 39) and Daveigh Chase (who died in June at 35), and "too many others."
Paquin invited former child performers to reach out directly, writing, "Literally DM me. I believe you and I will stand by your side. You aren't alone," and suggesting mutual support could make public disclosure less frightening.
Returning to Instagram on Aug. 22, she offered a hopeful note, saying she has worked on productions that carefully handled the welfare and mental health of young performers, even around intense material, adding that safeguarding kids must be "the top priority of the production."
Paquin, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actress at age 11, began her career as a child like Panettiere, and the two starred together in 2011's "Scream 4."