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'Kingdom Hearts' Star Breaks Down In Tears Over Co-Star Hayden Panettiere's Death In Heart-Wrenching Video
Her father, Skip Panettiere, later confirmed his daughter’s death in a heartbreaking statement:
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Stoner joined the mourners Monday with a tearful tribute. Both grew up in entertainment and later connected through Kingdom Hearts, where they voiced Kairi.
Stoner, who uses they/them pronouns, shared a touching caption alongside the video: “From one Kairi to another… One sky, one destiny.”
They then addressed Panettiere’s loved ones:
“My deepest condolences to Hayden’s family, community, and the many lives Hayden reached. May you rest in freedom, Hayden.”
Stoner also sent love to the Kingdom Hearts community mourning Panettiere. They had also worked with Panettiere’s late brother, Jansen, through the franchise.
Visibly emotional and choking back tears, Stoner asked viewers for grace:
“Hey, this is very raw. It’s very messy; please give me some grace... And from one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the Kingdom Hearts family but, of course, for all of the close loved ones and millions of lives that Hayden reached.”
For those who don’t know, Kairi is one of the central characters in Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts franchise and a childhood friend of protagonist Sora. A Princess of Heart whose heart holds pure light, she later trains to become a Keyblade wielder.
Panettiere originated Kairi’s English voice in 2002’s Kingdom Hearts and reprised the role in later titles, including Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. Stoner took over the role in December 2008 with Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories, continuing as Kairi in subsequent installments while also voicing Xion in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.
Stoner ended with love for those grieving Panettiere:
“Sending so much love to Hayden’s family, and I’ll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left, and sending lots of love to the Kingdom Hearts community too and how we’re sharing in this loss.”
Stoner signed off with one final plea, asking fans to “take care of yourselves and take care of each other.”
You can watch the full post below:
Stoner has previously opened up about their own difficult experiences growing up in the entertainment industry, including in their memoir, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything.
The former child star has detailed struggling with eating disorders, exhaustion, and the loss of normal childhood experiences while working from a young age, including leaving traditional school around age nine. They have also spoken about losing their privacy, dealing with stalkers, and facing unsafe conditions while working in the industry.
The tribute left fans emotional, with Stoner’s “from one Kairi to another” message hitting especially hard. Many shared their grief over Panettiere’s death and reflected on the impact of her portrayal of Kairi on the Kingdom Hearts community.
The emotional reactions continued across social media:
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There was another emotional Kingdom Hearts connection surrounding Panettiere’s death. Just one day before her passing, two of her longtime co-stars reunited onstage and performed a scene centered on Kairi—words that would take on a heartbreaking new meaning less than 24 hours later.
Haley Joel Osment, who voices Sora, and David Gallagher, the voice of Riku, reunited Saturday during the “Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts” panel at D23 in Anaheim, California. For the first time together onstage, the pair performed the game’s iconic “Realm of Darkness” ending sequence, which they originally recorded together in the same voice booth.
Watch the poignant moment below:
- YouTubeIGN
The scene speaks of a new journey and the connections that endure across the game’s many worlds. Following Panettiere’s death, its message carries new weight for Stoner and the Kingdom Hearts community now mourning one of their own.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda's Emotional Speech Set To 'Part Of Your World' After Being Inducted As A Disney Legend Is A Must-See
Now, he's been inducted as a Disney Legend at D23.
In an incredible celebration of his work, a powerful compilation of his most popular songs was performed before inviting him to the stage to accept his place as a Disney Legend.
When he finally ascended the stage, he accepted in the most Lin-Manuel Miranda way possible. He held up a beat-up, childhood VHS tape box of The Little Mermaid, and when he opened it, his acceptance speech was inside.
But instead of reading it, he quietly sang it to the tune of "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid, and the words were fittingly adapted to the cadence of the song.
Miranda sang, getting visibly emotional on stage:
"Look at this stuff... Isn’t it neat?"
"Wouldn’t you think my collection's complete?"
"Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl / The girl who has everything?"
"Look at this trove... D23!"
"All these montages, and even Auli’i."
"Watching that tribute, you think, 'Sure, he’s got everything.'"
"'He’s got Tonys and Grammys a plenty / Written many a musical score.'"
"'Wrote Moana and Bruno… and Peggy.'"
"So who cares? What’s his deal? What’s it for?"
"(Why do I write like I’m running out of time?)"
"I want to be where the people are / Write songs like Menken & Howard Ashman."
"Watching the kids sing along to the songs on that screen."
"I was that kid, just a bit bizarre / Singing alone with my plushie Sebastian."
"Playing my Casio keyboard along with each scene"
"I was just 9... by my TV, / Learning each line to 'Under The Sea'"
"Praying each night / The music I’d write / would be part of your world."
"How am I here? Getting to cheer / near Susan Egan?"
"Thank Tom MacDougall, somehow he knew I’d be okay."
"Years before fans, he took a chance, hiring this antsy, unknown Puerto Rican."
"From mi casa / To Mufasa / Cut to today."
"And Now here I stand, full of gratitude / Grateful for each human animator."
"Bringing our music to life with the magic they do."
"And I’m grateful for you... For believing in me."
"You see that line where the sky meets the sea?"
"God, what a time."
"Grateful that I’m... Part of your world."
You can watch Miranda's acceptance speech-song here:
Fans were grateful to be a part of Miranda's world.
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Some loved his nods to Hamilton, including writing like he was "running out of time" and Peggy.
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They also loved his specific nod to human animators in the age of AI.
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Miranda also shared photographs of the VHS case of The Little Mermaid that he carried on stage with him and the acceptance song lyrics inside, written in increasingly shaky handwriting.
You can see the photographs here:
You can watch the full ceremony welcoming Miranda into Disney Legends here:
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
Lin-Manuel Miranda is the definition of following your dreams until they come true. With films that are making the world feel magical to adults again, and helping to raise young kids, we cannot wait until he receives a Grammy and becomes an EGOT.
