Ruby Rose became emotional as she paid tribute to her “best friend,” Hayden Panettiere, following the American actress’s death at the age of 36.
The 40-year-old Australian actor spoke with Entertainment Tonight about her deep friendship with the Heroes star before attending Panettiere’s celebration of life at Malibu Pacific Church on Saturday.
Fighting back tears, Rose struggled to speak about her loss. “I don’t know if I can… sorry, no one’s asked yet,” she told reporters. “That was my best friend. We spoke every day for five years. I never even imagined we would become friends.”
Rose said she had initially been wary of forming friendships with other celebrities after having difficult experiences in the entertainment business. “I didn’t know if I wanted to have any celebrity friends,” she explained. “Then I saw her, she saw me, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, no.’”
She recalled that Panettiere approached her despite her hesitation and introduced herself.
“She ran up anyway and said, ‘Hey, I’m Hayden. Can we go somewhere and talk? We’ve got a lot in common,’” the John Wick: Chapter 2 star remembered. “I just laughed and thought, ‘What?’”
Ruby Rose (right) became tearful while remembering her “best friend” Hayden Panettiere, who died at the age of 36
The Australian actress (left) discussed her close friendship with the Heroes star (right) with Entertainment Tonight before attending Hayden Panettiere’s celebration of life at Malibu Pacific Church on Saturday
Panettiere later told Rose that she had responded, “I don’t think so,” although Rose believes she simply laughed. The pair soon began talking and discovered how much they had in common.
Rose warmly reflected on the five-year friendship they built, during which they texted each other daily and regularly made sure the other was doing well.
“It’s a bigger group now. There are 14 of us that we’ve gathered over the years. That’s my family. I don’t have a real family, so,” Rose said.
She added that Panettiere’s greatest wish had been to tell her own story in her own words and on her own terms.
Rose attended the memorial alongside Paris Hilton, Evan Ross, Jonathan Jackson and Lennon Stella.
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According to TMZ, Panettiere’s former Nashville co-stars Connie Britton and Charles Esten were also among those who attended the celebration of life.
A source told the publication that the gathering was both “emotional and beautiful,” beginning with the release of doves outside the church.
Roughly 150 mourners then went inside, where a band had been arranged and Britton and Esten delivered tributes.
Ruby Rose spoke with affection about her five-year friendship with Hayden Panettiere, saying they texted daily and continually checked in on one another
Panettiere died a month ago at 36 after suffering cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose in South Carolina. She had been staying at an Airbnb with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson, 37, and his brother Zach, 38. (Panettiere and Brian pictured together in 2018)
Esten also performed a song from Nashville, the television series in which he and Panettiere appeared together.
Panettiere’s father, Skip, was reportedly present, while her mother, Leslie Vogel, from whom the actress had been estranged, did not attend.
A close source to Vogel denied that she was invited but told TMZ she couldn’t attend due to a family emergency.
Hayden died one month ago at age 36, after going into cardiac arrest following a suspected overdose in South Carolina, where she was staying at an Airbnb with her on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson, 37, and his brother Zach, 38.
Amid the star’s death, Brian is said to be spiraling and has reportedly lost 40 pounds since Hayden died.
Last month, detectives confirmed to the Daily Mail that they responded to a 911 call from an ‘acquaintance’ of Hayden, who described her as ‘unresponsive.’
Narcan, a nasal spray used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was found on a mattress in the loft apartment where the actress was staying, TMZ previously reported.