Here’s a surprising fact about me: I like country music. It was the soundtrack to my childhood, my father playing his 12-inch records every Sunday morning. I fell in love with the lyrics, along with the melodic voices of the singers – especially the women, who sounded so different to the other 80s tracks I’d hear on the radio.
Then, about a decade ago, I discovered Nashville. The US TV series was the perfect mix of kitsch drama, catchy tunes and entertaining acting, while offering a peek behind the curtain of the country music scene in the city the show was named for. The Grand Ole Opry has been on my bucket list ever since.
The show’s standout star was Hayden Panettiere. Playing a young, budding singer who becomes a global sensation, Hayden elevated the show and solidified her status as an A-list actress; she sang all her own songs and her talent earned her multiple awards. But what followed was a heartbreaking turn of events, made even more so by the fact that they played out in public.
The pressure of success took its toll and Hayden used alcohol to cope. Her personal struggles intensified in 2014 during a crippling episode of postnatal depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya. And when an old injury flared up, she started taking opioids to manage the pain. Hayden checked into rehab, gave up custody of her daughter to her ex – retired professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko – and all but vanished from the public eye.
Now, she’s back. Hayden’s journey is one of remarkable resilience – and a reminder that recovery looks different for everyone. And it’s a personal privilege
