NEWSHolly Robinson Peete Defends Gayle King After Her Blunt Hayden Panettiere Comments: 'She's Not Wrong'
Holly Robinson Peete backed up Gayle King after Lesley Vogel's comments on her estranged daughter, Hayden Panettiere.
Aug. 20 2026, Published 3:22 p.m. ET
Holly Robinson Peete backed up Gayle King after the late Hayden Panettiere's estranged mother commented on the actress’ death at 36.
On August 19, Peete wrote via X, "She's not wrong," adding a link to a story about King's remarks, in which she called out Panettiere's mom, Lesley Vogel, for her statements about her daughter.
Lesley Vogel Shared Her First Comments After Hayden Panettiere's Death
Hayden Panettiere's estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, shared her first comments after her death.
Vogel spoke with NBC News about Panettiere's death on Tuesday.
She said, "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."
"I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself, and 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," Vogel added.
Gayle King Slammed Lesley Vogel Over Her Comments
Gayle King slammed Lesley Vogel over her comments about Hayden Panettiere.
Meanwhile, King read some of those remarks aloud on CBS Mornings and remarked, per People, "You know, guys, you read this, and all I can think is, ‘Thanks, Mom, for nothing.’"
She also acknowledged Panettiere’s past comments about having a "complicated relationship with her mom," noting that "you hear stuff like that and you realize it was still very much [a work] in progress."
"It makes me so sad of the opportunity that you have after your daughter’s death, and that’s what you choose to leave us with," King said.
- 'Thanks for Nothing': Gayle King Slams Hayden Panettiere's Estranged Mother Lesley Vogel Over Comments Following Daughter's Death
- Megyn Kelly Slams Hayden Panettiere's 'Loser' Parents for Not 'Protecting' the Actress Before Her Heartbreaking Death: 'You Blew It'
- Hayden Panettiere Was 'Clearly Still Struggling' Despite Claiming She Was in a 'Good Place' 3 Months Before Her Death, Says Gayle King
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Holly Robinson Peete Also Called Out Vogel
Lesley Vogel said Hayden Panettiere had 'incredible attributes' but 'sadly lost her way.'
In her tweet, Peete called out Vogel as well, writing, "We know this young lady clearly had so many issues, but if you’re not gonna take accountability for the fact that you put her in the business that eventually messed her up then nothing you say has any integrity."
She proceeded to point out how Vogel didn't even say "I will miss my daughter" or "I loved my daughter the best way I could," adding, "Has she even mentioned the word daughter?"
Holly Robinson Peete backed up Gayle King after Lesley Vogel's comments on Hayden Panettiere after her death at 36.
"There were so many things she could have said to show us that she was a caring mother … And now both of her children are gone," Peete continued, referring to Vogel’s son, Jansen, who died in February 2023 from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Concluding her statement, Peete wrote, "It is all so tragic.💔 rip Hayden🙏🏽."
