Connie Britton got candid about the heartbreak of attending the memorial of Hayden Panettiere, her longtime friend and Nashville co-star, who passed away on August 16 at age 36.
The duo starred opposite each other on the hit show, with Connie portraying Rayna Jaymes and Hayden playing Juliette Barnes. The actress opened up about Hayden's celebration of life on September 19, which took place in Malibu and saw her other Nashville co-stars, Sam Palladio and Jonathan Jackson, in attendance.
Saying goodbye
© Disney General Entertainment Con"We all just bawled," she told People. "I'm finding solace and connection within the community of people who still remain."
Connie added that she grew close to the former child star on the set of Nashville after moving cities with her young child. "I really was looking for my village when I moved there with my tiny baby, and I needed help," she explained.
© FilmMagic"Every time [my son] Yoby was on set, and Hayden was there, she'd just stop everything. Everything became about Yoby. It just felt like sweetness."
Connie shared a heartbreaking tribute to her friend on social media in the days after Hayden's death, writing: "This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright. I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now."
Learn more about Hayden's struggles below...
Inside their close bond
Hayden shared insight into her relationship with Connie in her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, revealing that she never wanted to compete with the star on set.
"My character wasn't intended to be the show's star – not even close. That honor went to Connie, whose Rayna Jaymes was in the twilight of her career, facing a dramatic turning point thanks to yours truly," she wrote. "Juliette wasn't necessarily Rayna's enemy, but she was the antagonist."
"I was 23 years old, and Connie was in her 40s with three Emmy nominations under her belt," Hayden continued.
"She was also a new mom. This should have been her time to shine, and while it was in many respects, I was terrified of making Connie worry that I – not my character – was trying to compete with her…I was not going to step on the toes of Rayna Jaymes or Connie Britton."
Forging a friendship
© Disney General Entertainment ConHayden previously told Entertainment Weekly that her co-star was "a class act" and kept her "grounded" during her time on the show. "She is so smart and so wise, and just being able to be on screen with her, I was honored," the mother of one said.
"She's so smart and so savvy. She plays that character so well, and she's so likable, and I'm so unlikable in moments. But I feel like we were able to infiltrate that with portions where you can feel for [Juliette], you understand her, and see where her pain is coming from."
Hayden's untimely death
© FilmMagicHayden's death was ruled an accident by authorities after she was found with multiple drugs in her system, including fentanyl. Her body was discovered at an Airbnb in South Carolina after travelling there with her former partner, Brian Hickerson, the day before.
The investigation into her death is ongoing, but the local police department said there were no immediate signs of foul play.
