[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Brian Hickerson is reacting after Hayden Panettiere’s vulnerable domestic violence admissions.
In her new memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, the Remember the Titans star opens up about her terrifying relationship with Brian and the abuse she suffered at his hand. Hayden didn’t hold back, and now Brian is sharing his thoughts.
During a video interview with TMZ’s Charlie Neff on Tuesday, the M.F.A. actor reacted to Hayden’s characterization of him and their relationship in the memoir:
“I think it speaks for itself. I got arrested for abusing her, and I wouldn’t blame her friends for being pissed off at me. I don’t really have much to say on that.”
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Brian spoke on the 2020 abuse incident for which he was arrested in Wyoming:
“I had a lot to drink and I got physical with her, and I got arrested, spent the night in jail. That’s just what happens when you lay hands on women.”
He went on to talk about trying to understand the relationship from her point of view, and how the two had discussions about his abuse on multiple occasions:
“We had been together for eight years. That’s a topic of conversation that came up a lot, so I had a couple opportunities to apologize for it and reflect on it … You never lay hands on a woman, bottom line.”
He also confirmed he talked to Hayden as recently as the day before his interview:
“The conversation was about the book and she was worried about it — it’s her first book, who wouldn’t be nervous about it? The only thing I said to her, I was like, ‘Look, dude, you’ve got one of the craziest stories I’ve ever heard in my life and when people read it, it’s going to be a hit.’”
As for where their relationship stands now, he revealed:
“Our relationship right now is just a mutual respect thing. She’ll always hold a special place in my heart, and I hope the same for her. But yeah, we’re just good buddies.”
Brian noted he’s been working on himself in an AA group with Shia LaBeouf and daydreams about marriage with Hayden, but doubts they will ever get back together:
“I hope so. She probably doesn’t think the same … I think that Hayden is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met in my life and I would be an idiot not to walk away from her and let her flourish in her career. We probably wouldn’t be good together. I’d like to see what she’s going to do with the next 30 years of her career.”
He also noted she “absolutely” deserves better than him.
As for his thoughts on his chapter in the memoir, Brian dished:
“Hayden’s book is incredible … I think everyone should read it. I mean, the domestic violence stuff … my chapter … everybody should read it … Who wants to read something about themselves like that, right? But you’ve got to be vulnerable.”
He also alluded to the fact that it could potentially an “important” read for other abusers to help prevent further abuse:
“I think it’s more important for abusers [to read this book]. My biggest thing about domestic violence is I don’t think it is caught early enough in life. Never in my life did I ever get called what domestic violence was. Maybe if I did at an early age I wouldn’t have done what I did.”
You can listen to more from his interview (below):
Reactions??
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/
[Images via Jay Shetty Podcast/YouTube & Brian Hickerson/Instagram]
