Hayden Panettiere Explains Why She Gave Ex Another Chance After Arrests

The actress and her ex broke things off nearly two years ago.

Hayden Panettiere got candid about her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, who was arrested and charged with multiple felonies related to a 2021 assault on the actress.

The Bring It On actress, 33, recently opened up to The New York Times about where she stands with her ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.

"There are feelings there, yes," she admitted to the outlet, which also reported that she called him "babe" multiple times throughout the interview published on Apr. 4.

Panettiere went on to say that she has not disregarded any of what he put her through and that "he knows he deserved what happened to him," in reference to his domestic violence charges.

The couple dated on and off for nearly four years before Hickerson was charged with domestic battery after injuring the actress in 2021, which he did serve time in jail for.

But, now, this new report reveals, the two are back on again as Hickerson was present inside the actress' condo at the time of the conversation.

She clarified that the duo's relationship was “contingent on him continuing on this road of recovery" and that she worries about how people may perceive her after giving him a second chance. “I did not do any of this lightly,” she persisted. 

Throughout their relationship, Hickerson had a few other run-ins with the law. He was arrested in May 2019 and again on Valentine's Day in 2020. Five months later, he was arrested and charged with multiple felony assault charges and ultimately struck a plea deal and served time in jail the following year.

Following his arrest in July, Panettiere took to Twitter with an important message about domestic violence.

"I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve," she wrote. "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I'm grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life."

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, Safe Horizon is available with resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at 1-800-621-HOPE.

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