faith

So many people knew Hayden Panettiere as an actress, but many may not know that she was also an incredibly passionate advocate for dolphins and whales. In 2007, at just 18 years old, Hayden traveled to Taiji, Japan, where she joined a group of activists who paddled directly into the infamous cove in an attempt to stop a group of dolphins from being killed. She wasn’t there playing a role. She put herself in the middle of what was happening because she believed it was wrong. The confrontation was captured on camera and would later become part of the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove. I’ve talked about The Cove many times over the years, and tonight I’m at a loss for words. Millions of people will remember Hayden for Heroes, Nashville, Scream and the many characters she brought to life. I hope she’s also remembered for the things she cared about when the cameras weren’t supposed to be rolling. Rest in peace, Hayden. 🤍