While Hollywood mourns the loss of Heroesstar Hayden Panettiere, Fast & Furiousstar Michelle Rodriguez remembers the late actress.
One day after Hayden was reported dead at the young age of 36, Universal Pictures hosted a star-studded 25th-anniversary red carpet screening of The Fast and the Furiouson August 17, in Los Angeles.
Franchise stars Vin Diesel, Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster reunited at the event, alongside Meadow Walker—daughter of the late Paul Walker—setting the stage for the film’s nationwide theatrical re-release on August 21.
During the red carpet, an interviewer asked Rodriguez about how she would describe Hayden’s personality.
The 48-year-old described, “happy and joyous” with a “curious spirit.”
She went on to express her grief, stating, “I just can’t stand how many young people are leaving us lately.”
“It’s disheartening. It’s not normal,” the Fast X actress, who co-hosted the World Music Awards with Hayden, added.
For the unversed, an official cause of death for Hayden has not yet been determined.
She was found unresponsive in cardiac arrest at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16.
While 911 dispatch audio referenced a possible overdose, the coroner stated an autopsy showed no trauma, and final results remain pending toxicology and further studies.
2026-08-19 10:39:00
