Hayden Panettiere’s Friend Clayton Johnson Shares Final Text Before Death
Selma Blair, Viola Davis and More Pay Tribute to Hayden Panettiere After Her Death
Hayden Panettiere‘s last words to Clayton Johnson meant the world.
The Nashville alum spoke with the country musician in the weeks leading up to her Aug. 16 death at age 36, with Johnson sharing that Panettiere had left him with some impactful words.
“It’s been a couple of weeks since our last phone call, but the last thing you ever texted me was, ‘Honestly, people think it’s a joke to ask for world peace, but that would be me,'” Johnson wrote on Instagram Aug. 17, sharing a video of himself and Panettiere singing his 2025 single “Never Have To Say.”
“That was you in a nutshell,” he continued. “I’m grateful I got to know you, and I’ll always be grateful for the memories.”
In his tribute, Johnson—who was cast on Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette following his breakup with Lana Del Rey—also reflected on how Hayden’s passing came three years after the death of her 28-year-old brother Jansen Panettiere.
“I spent last night trying to process, to try to find the right words, but there really aren’t any,” the 37-year-old added. “More than anything, I hope you’re at peace now and reunited with Jansen.”
