Charles Esten is the latest Nashville cast member to pay tribute to Hayden Panettiere.
If you did not hear the tragic news, the Heroes star passed away on Sunday (August 16) at a residence in South Carolina, just five days shy of her birthday.
On Monday (August 17), Charles, 60, took to Instagram to pen a touching tribute on his and wife Patty‘s behalf mourning Hayden while sharing several photos of them together throughout the years on set of Nashville.
“Patty and I are stunned and saddened at the loss of our dear and beautiful friend Hayden,” he began. “I will never forget the first time I met her.”
“In a sound stage office in Hollywood, I was finishing up my very first NASHVILLE audition,” Charles recalled. “I had read two Deacon scenes before pulling out my guitar and singing two songs. I said my goodbyes and, hoping I’d done well, went to open the door to leave. Instead of swinging all the way out, the door bumped into somebody. Kinda hard.”
“To my complete surprise, It was Hayden Paniettiere, who – in full Juliette Barnes mode – had been listening with her ear to the door,” he continued. “Instead of looking even a little bit caught, her face instantly bloomed into the most beautiful smile. Eyes twinkling, she clapped her hands and said, ‘That was so good!!’”
Charles added, “I can promise you that in that moment, there was nothing in the world I needed to hear more than that. I told her that, along with my HEROES-watching family, I was already a big fan of hers, and that I was grateful for the very kind words. It was her turn to go in, so as I went to leave, I said a jokingly cocky, “See you on the set!’ I was, of course, many auditions away from landing that incredible role. But when I finally did, and showed up in Nashville to start work, she walked right up to me, pointed in my face, and with that magical grin said, ‘See you on the set!'”
“From there, we became fast friends, working very hard to play those 2 troubled Nashvillians, but always having fun and laughing a whole lot along the way,” he wrote. “She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette. What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend. She was always extremely kind to my family, especially my wife, Patty, who I’m certain she liked even more than me.”
“Together, we are heartbroken that she is gone, and praying for her family, and for all those who, like us, will miss and mourn her so dearly,” Charles concluded. “God bless you, Hayden. Rest In Peace and Light.”
If you didn’t see, fellow Nashville star Connie Britton also released a message remembering Hayden.
The post Charles Esten Pens Touching Tribute to Hayden Panettiere, Looks Back at Their First Meeting During ‘Nashville’ Audition appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News and Gossip | Entertainment.