Hayden Panettiere: Relationship hid from public for career

Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson intentionally concealed their rekindled romance from the public to safeguard her career, sources have revealed. Her team reportedly advised her to maintain a public distance, deeming Hickerson 'bad for business' during the crucial promotional period for her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."

Despite public perceptions, the couple remained in constant private communication. Brian Hickerson's inner circle confirmed they have been dating consistently for years, dispelling numerous reports of a breakup as strategic falsehoods aimed at benefiting Panettiere's career.

Sources observed them together multiple times over the past year in both Los Angeles and South Carolina, often at private gatherings. These consistent sightings led those close to the couple to dismiss media claims of a split.

Panettiere was last seen with Hickerson in March, assisting her as she used crutches at LAX, though their relationship was publicly downplayed as friendship. Her death occurred Sunday afternoon at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, where Hickerson was also reportedly present.