Ruby Rose remembers Hayden Panettiere, calling her ‘best friend’ in emotional tribute

Ruby Rose spoke about her friendship with Panettiere, saying the actress wanted her story told on her own terms

Ruby Rose has spoken emotionally about her friendship with Hayden Panettiere, who died on August 16 at the age of 36.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Rose described Panettiere as her “best friend” and said the pair “spoke every day for five years.”

“I didn’t even think we were going to be friends,” Rose said, becoming emotional. “I didn’t know if I wanted to have any celebrity friends, because I didn’t have a great experience with the industry.”

Rose also recalled their first meeting and how Panettiere approached her despite Rose initially being uncertain about becoming friends.

“I saw her, she saw me, and I just remember thinking, ‘Oh, no.’ And then she ran up anyway and was like, ‘Hey, I’m Hayden. Can we go talk somewhere? We’ve got a lot in common.’ I just laughed.”

The pair soon became close after discovering they “had everything in common”, according to Rose. They remained in regular contact throughout their five-year friendship and texted each other every day to check in.

“Hayden, all that she ever wanted was to have her story told her way, on her terms,” Rose said.

Panettiere was known for roles in Heroes, Nashville, Scream 4 and Scream VI. She also discussed her experiences with drug and alcohol addiction in her 2026 memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.

Following her death, the Drug Enforcement Administration joined an investigation with South Carolina’s Greenville Police Department to determine her cause of death.

Several Hollywood figures paid tribute, including her Heroes co-star Jack Coleman, who described their long-standing bond.