Lesley Vogel explains decision to cut ties with daughter Hayden Panettiere after years of strain

Hayden Panettiere’s estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, is speaking publicly about their fractured relationship, saying she chose to cut ties with her daughter following what she described as years of emotional strain.

Vogel, 70, addressed the situation after Panettiere recently opened up about their troubled relationship while promoting her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.

In comments shared with Page Six, Vogel explained that she embraced a “no-contact route” based on guidance she received from professionals.

“After 20 years of trauma, I took the advice of professionals and chose the no-contact route,” Vogel said, adding that parents of child entertainers often witness “self-destructive paths” that are painful to observe.

She continued by saying no parent hopes for such circumstances and described “radical acceptance” as one of the hardest challenges a parent can face.

Panettiere, 36, has spoken candidly in recent interviews about the complicated dynamic she shared with her mother, who also managed her career during her rise to fame.

The actress, known for projects including Heroes and Nashville, recently recalled feeling that their relationship became centered around work rather than family.

Speaking on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Panettiere said she often found herself acting as her mother’s confidant, therapist, and emotional support system instead of simply being treated as a child.

The actress explained that she eventually decided to end their professional relationship when she was 19 in hopes of rebuilding a healthier mother-daughter connection.

According to Panettiere, she told her mother she no longer wanted them to work together and instead wanted her “just to be my mom.”

However, the conversation allegedly ended painfully. Panettiere claimed her mother responded by saying, “You owe me,” before walking away.

The actress admitted the exchange stayed with her for years and left her questioning what her mother believed she owed. She later came to feel the issue centered around money, which she described as deeply hurtful.

“The fact that she didn’t care to have a relationship with me was a tough pill to swallow,” Panettiere said.