Hayden Panettiere: Stephen Colletti Protected Me From Paparazzi

Hayden Panettiere, 36, recently shared her appreciation for her ex-boyfriend Stephen Colletti, reflecting on their relationship from the mid-2000s. The 'Heroes' actress dated the 'Laguna Beach' alum for nearly two years. This period coincided with the beginning of Panettiere's intense experience with paparazzi and tabloid attention as a young star. She highlighted Colletti's significant role during this challenging time.

Panettiere revealed that Colletti was 'very protective' as she learned to navigate life in the public eye. His own experiences with media scrutiny, having dated prominent figures like Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari, made him adept at handling the press. He reportedly showed Panettiere how to interact with the media 'diplomatically.'

According to Panettiere, Colletti demonstrated a way to maintain personal boundaries without resorting to offensive behavior. She noted that he never came across as a 'bad guy,' which allowed her to learn valuable lessons about self-preservation. Panettiere emphasized her profound gratitude for his presence in her life during those formative years.