Heroes, Fireflies in the Garden, Ice Princess, Racing Stripes, One Life to Live
When I go to work and see our little sound stage and sets where we goof around, it's hard to think that 15 million people are watching what we're doing.
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She’s known as “the cheerleader on Heroes,” but Hayden Panettiere could be your next- door neighbor. Oh, it’s not that she isn’t beautiful. She’s all that. But with her wholesome good looks and down-to-earth attitude, you’d never guess this rising star recently graced the cover of “Entertainment Weekly.”
“When I go to work and see our little sound stage and sets where we goof around, it’s hard to think that 15 million people are watching what we’re doing,” says the fresh-faced blonde, who recently turned 18.
Panettiere became a household name with her role as Claire Bennet on the hit NBC show, “Heroes.” A sassy cheerleader from Odessa, Texas, Claire discovers that she’s indestructible and can regenerate any part of her body. Jumping off a bridge? No problem. Waking up on an autopsy table with her insides, well, on the outside? No sweat.
The hit sci-fi fantasy series, created by Tim Kring, premiered in the fall of 2006. It’s currently drawing raves in its second season, and has already produced a spin-off, “Heroes: Origins,” scheduled to air in 2008.
The first season of “Heroes” introduced us to the characters, all of whom learned they had extraordinary powers after a mysterious solar eclipse. A stripper discovers that her mirror image is alive. A fugitive baffles authorities with his escape-artist abilities. An artist learns he can paint the future, A Japanese guy travels through time. And then there’s that indestructible cheerleader.
Season Two picked up four months after Season One’s finale, and our heroes are still on the run. “The theme of the first season is what happens when ordinary people discover extraordinary abilities,” explains Panettiere. “Season Two is about what happens when extraordinary people have to be ordinary again.”
For Claire, that means rediscovering her inner teen self and coming to grips with the teen angst of having a love interest, played by Nick D’Agosto.
“Heroes” has redefined what it means to be an ensemble show. Virtually all of the characters play a key role, and Panettiere is quick to note that the writers, producers, and directors have created an amazing atmosphere – both on-screen and off.
“With ensemble casts, sometimes it’s easy to get pushed aside and overlooked, especially when you’re one of the youngest,” she says. “But this has been such an incredible experience. It’s remained an ensemble storyline, as opposed to anyone standing out by themselves.”
So why are viewers around the globe loving “Heroes” so much? Panettiere feels it’s a combination of things—great writing, skillful directors and producers, and character-driven storylines we can all relate to. Really.
“These characters have pretty rugged lives,” she says thoughtfully. “You’ve got a mom trying to support her son by stripping, a male nurse who dreams of being something more, a drug addict who’s a struggling artist… All these stories are very human stories, and their powers are metaphors for life. You watch it and say, ok, I totally get the feeling of wanting to be normal and wanting to fit in, but having something that holds me back, something I have to keep secret.”
It’s no secret that Panettiere has been doing this a long time. In fact, she’s been on-screen one way or another for most of her 18 years. Starting at just 11 months old, she’s filmed more than 50 commercials, everything from Jergens to Kentucky Fried Chicken.
By age four, she was playing Sarah Victoria Roberts on “One Life to Live,” and later landed the role of Lizzie Spaulding on “Guiding Light.” Her TV work includes “Ally McBeal,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
In theaters, Panettiere has acted in “Remember the Titans,” “Raising Helen,” “Racing Stripes,” and “Ice Princess.” Next up: “Fireflies in the Garden,” an independent film in which she plays Julia Roberts’ little sister.
And if all that isn’t enough, Panettiere also has a thriving singing career. She’s recorded tracks for “Bridge to Terabithia” and “Cinderella III: A Twist in Time,” and has a CD coming out this year.
Whew! So how does this young star keep her head straight, especially now that she has ten cameras in her face every time she steps outside? For one thing, she doesn’t go outside. “I’m relatively difficult to get a shot of because I pull out of my garage in my car, then I go into another garage and go straight into the building. I never step foot outside!”
She adds that all the hard-partying, DUI-ing starlets in the tabloids are making it that much harder for everyone else. “Because of their wrongdoings, we’re all kind of slotted like that and watched like hawks to see if we’re gonna screw up,” she says. “People try to push us to fall into traps, so you have to stick to your guns and play it safe, and not do anything that could be misinterpreted.”
Like switching from non-alcoholic Sprite & lime juice to bottled water at a recent fundraiser. And yet, she says the paparazzi still question what’s in the water bottle. “Some of the things that other people have done are extreme, and I would never go anywhere near any of that. But all the young people in this business have been really affected by what other young people have done. And it’s just not fair.”
It’s one reason Panettiere loves spending time on meaningful charities, like 2 SMRT 4U, which encourages teens to make safe choices when posting information about themselves on social networking web sites and blogs; Invisible Children, which creates economic opportunities for people in Northern Uganda and raises money to support children affected by the war there; and Declare Yourself, a nonpartisan, nationwide campaign to empower 18-year-olds in America to register and vote in the 2008 election.
Panettiere hopes that young girls will see her charity work and want to emulate that and help make a difference in the world. Hearing this sweet philosophy, I asked if she’d mind saying hello to my 10-year-old daughter, who grew up watching her movies. Not surprisingly, Panettiere obliged and was absolutely charming with my daughter, who’s still beaming over the experience.
Now that’s the sort of hero we can all cheer about.
Published in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of “Latitudes”
Comments on Hayden Panettiere
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She is doing a great job in Heroes. I love and equally hate her character in this show. BTW does she have the “legal” high to be a cheerleader? LOL
Posted by drug treatment center on Apr 07, 2008
Her voice is recognizable as her face! She starred in the delightful animated feature, A Bugs Life, as Princess Dot. Her work for A Bugs Life Read-a-long garnered her a Grammy Nomination for Best Spoken Word Album, as well as a nomination for The Hollywood Reporters Young Star Award for Best Young Voiceover Talent. Hayden is also the voice of Suri in Disney’s, Dinosaurs.
Posted by water damage restoration on Apr 22, 2008
I was extremely surprised that Hayden can sing let alone sing beautifully. Wow!!
Posted by house painters on Aug 12, 2008
Wow.. That is one magical voice.!
Posted by Stroller on Sep 08, 2008
Her voice is almost perfect. I could only wish that I had the voice to make people feel the stories I would tell.
Posted by Document Drying on Nov 04, 2008
I watched her from day one on “Heroes”.
I was really totally surprised when I learned she could sing! Just last week I actully seen and heard her singing. Not bad...not bad at all!
Posted by hdtv ant on Nov 09, 2008
Oh wow, I didn’t know she did Dot’s voice in A Bug’s Life… how cute! Heroes is such a popular show, and I hear so many good things about it, but I haven’t watched any of the episodes yet. I think I’ll just rent the series and have a Heroes-a-thon this weekend!
Posted by water damage on Nov 25, 2008
I remember seeing her in “Raising Helen”, but it was “Remember the Titans” which made my head turn.
Posted by Cine Cynic on Nov 28, 2008
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I wish i had time and patience to make a informative post like yours. A ton of information on all the states. Bookmarked your blog.
Will definitely be back more often....
Posted by Best Engineering Colleges in Mumbai on Dec 27, 2008
I agree that she is fabulous in Heros- I can’t imagine anyone else playing her role. I wonder what kind of roles she will play in the future.
Posted by Mike Bayer on Jan 09, 2009
You really have to admire her humility and goodwill. Anyone who is able to take some of their time and dedicate it to a good cause is admirable in my opinion.
Posted by Randy Spelling on Jan 21, 2009
I enjoy watching “heroes” and especially with my friends, i think i will found new ones on this blog. Heroes made a fan community and i’m a part of it ! Thx for sharing your feelings !
Great regards.
Posted by Bwin on Mar 03, 2009
I don’t think any one could be more beautiful especially her inner beauty she displays for her love for life. Thank you Hayden!
Posted by Funny Life Quotes on Mar 22, 2009
She is fantastic! If only more girls were like her!
Posted by Forex News on Jul 14, 2009
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