Megyn Kelly resurfaces 2000 clip of 11-year-old Hayden Panettiere singing on Rosie O'Donnell show
Source: Megyn Kelly · All Megyn Kelly reports
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Summary
Megyn Kelly plays a 2000 clip of 11-year-old Hayden Panettiere singing Britney Spears' '(You Drive Me) Crazy' a cappella on The Rosie O'Donnell Show during Remember the Titans promotion. Kelly praises the performance as adorable but criticizes the outfit and context as inappropriate for a child. She then recounts Panettiere's later struggles with addiction, alcoholism, her mother's role, postpartum depression, relinquishing custody of her daughter, and an abusive relationship.
Editorial Assessment
The video accurately identifies the clip and summarizes documented elements of Panettiere's life, including her early start under her mother's management and later challenges confirmed in interviews and her 2026 memoir. It presents an unnuanced causal narrative from child performing to adult trauma without citing counter-factors or Panettiere's statements on agency and recovery. Viewers miss the full context from her recent book detailing postpartum depression, multiple rehabs, and the custody decision as tied to addiction rather than solely fame. The 'John Benet vibes' remark injects sensational framing around sexualization. Sourcing relies on the clip and general knowledge rather than named recent sources.
Key Moments
11-year-old Panettiere sang Britney Spears on Rosie O'Donnell Show in 2000 wearing latex-like pants
Clip from October 2, 2000, during Remember the Titans press; outfit described as pleather pants in multiple reports.
Panettiere struggled with drug addiction, alcoholism, and gave up custody due to postpartum depression
Confirmed in her 2026 memoir and interviews; she detailed addiction to alcohol and Klonopin post-childbirth leading to custody agreement with Klitschko.
Panettiere's mother was unsupportive or abusive in her career management
Estranged relationship documented, with Panettiere ending business ties at 19; mother pushed career from infancy but Panettiere has described complex dynamics in her memoir.
Panettiere ended up in a physically abusive relationship
Public records and her accounts confirm domestic abuse by ex Brian Hickerson, including arrests.
Notable Concerns
- Sensational comparison to JonBenét Ramsey case
- Direct causal link between childhood fame and adult issues presented without evidence