NEWSHayden Panettiere's Mom Slams Gayle King and Megyn Kelly for Criticizing Her After Daughter's Death: 'It’s Shameful'
Lesley Vogel clapped back at Gayle King and Megyn Kelly over their criticism of her comments.
Aug. 24 2026, Published 10:29 a.m. ET
Hayden Panettiere's mom, Lesley Vogel, clapped back at Gayle King and Megyn Kelly after their criticism of her in the wake of her daughter's death.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Vogel said, “It’s shameful. It’s unconscionable to me.”
Hayden Panettiere's mother Lesley Vogel said she was 'very, very hurt' and 'deeply disappointed' by Gayle King and Megyn Kelly's comments.
Sharing her response to the CBS Mornings host and podcaster’s separate comments, she said, “I was very, very hurt and deeply disappointed in the lack of professionalism, the lack of compassion in slamming someone who’s lost two children, without even a modicum of consideration.”
“No one reached out to me before,” she added.
Lesley Vogel Previously Said She Felt Her Daughter 'Lost Her Way'
Lesley Vogel previously said she felt Hayden Panettiere 'lost her way.'
After Panettiere's death at 36, Vogel spoke to NBC News on Tuesday.
At the time, she criticized the late Heroes actress's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and felt her daughter “lost her way.”
“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death, and that was Brian Hickerson,” she said.
“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments, and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle, and it’s a very challenging industry, and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path,” Vogel continued.
She added, “I think Hayden sadly lost her way, and I wish it were different. I wish she had stayed true to herself because she had many incredible attributes.”
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Gayle King Slammed Vogel For Her Comments
Gayle King slammed Lesley Vogel for focusing too much on Hayden Panettiere's struggles amid her death.
The following day, King criticized Vogel for focusing too much on Panettiere's struggles amid her death.
On Wednesday's CBS Mornings broadcast, the host said, “You know, guys, you read this, and all I can think is, ‘Thanks, mom, for nothing.'”
“It makes me so sad of the opportunity that you have after your daughter’s death that that’s what you choose to leave us with,” King added.
Megyn Kelly Also Criticized Vogel's Comments
Megyn Kelly said Lesley Vogel 'failed' at her job and 'got an F as a parent.'
Kelly, meanwhile, declared on The Megyn Kelly Show about Vogel after her comments: “You failed at your job… You got an F as a parent.”
“You made a bunch of money off of your daughter,” she added. “You probably have a super nice car and a big house. You failed. You raised someone to the age of majority who doesn’t feel safe, loved, or cherished. You’re a loser.”
