Hayden Panettiere: What Happened to the Child Stars We Watched Grow Up?

Hayden Panettiere's death at just 36 has brought her story back into the spotlight—and sent me down a much deeper rabbit hole about what happens when children grow up famous in front of the entire world. In this episode of Brittany Between the Chaos, I'm taking a closer look at Hayden Panettiere and Aaron Carter, two child stars who became famous incredibly young, struggled publicly with addiction and mental health, and died far too young.

I talk about Hayden's recent memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, her emotional final interview with Jay Shetty on On Purpose, her battle with addiction and postpartum depression, motherhood and the heartbreaking custody decision involving her daughter Kaya, her experiences with trauma and abuse, and the Neutrogena controversy surrounding her claim that the brand ended their relationship after she publicly discussed her postpartum depression.

I also dive into Aaron Carter's story—from becoming a pop star at just nine years old to his highly public struggles with addiction and mental health and his death at 34. What happens when a child becomes a celebrity before they've even had the chance to figure out who they are? Does Hollywood protect the kids it turns into stars, or do we only pay attention once something goes terribly wrong?

This isn't about gossip or speculation. It's about the real stories these two people shared about their lives, the struggles they faced behind the headlines, and the bigger conversation about child stars, fame, addiction, mental health, trauma and growing up in the public eye.

And after hearing Hayden say in her recent Jay Shetty interview, “I feel like I have a lot more life to live,” it's impossible not to hear that conversation differently now.

Topics: Hayden Panettiere, Aaron Carter, child stars, Hollywood, Jay Shetty, On Purpose, This Is Me: A Reckoning, addiction, postpartum depression, mental health, Neutrogena, celebrity culture, childhood fame, Hollywood child stars, Aaron Carter death, Hayden Panettiere death.

#HaydenPanettiere #AaronCarter #ChildStars #Hollywood #JayShetty

NFL Preseason Week 2 is here—and the Week 1 hype is about to get tested.

In this episode of Brittany Between the Chaos, I’m breaking down my bold NFL Week 2 predictions, the players and teams I expect to rise, the performances I think were overhyped, and the fantasy football names moving up—or down—my draft board.

We’re talking Texans vs. Raiders, Cowboys vs. Cardinals, Jets vs. Steelers, 49ers vs. Chargers, fantasy sleepers, draft traps, breakout candidates, and the preseason performances you should not ignore.

I’m also giving my honest take on Stephen A. Smith’s NFL outlook and explaining why entertaining sports takes do not always equal smart fantasy football decisions.

Who is real? Who is overhyped? And which players should fantasy managers be watching before draft day?

Follow Brittany Between the Chaos on Spotify, download the episode, and share it with the football fan who already thinks they have the season figured out.

#NFL #NFLPreseason #NFLWeek2 #FantasyFootball #FantasyFootballTips #FantasyDraft #NFLPredictions #NFLNews #FootballPodcast #SportsPodcast #StephenASmith #HoustonTexans #DallasCowboys #NFLRookies #FootballTalk #NFLHotTakes #FantasySleepers #BrittanyBetweenTheChaos

NFL preseason may not count in the standings, but it absolutely gives us something to talk about.

In this episode of Brittany Between the Chaos, I’m breaking down the biggest winners and disappointments from NFL Preseason Week 1, the rookies who caught my attention, the players I’m not ready to trust yet, and the fantasy football picks that may already be shifting.

We’re talking rookie standouts, preseason overreactions, fantasy sleepers, breakout candidates, draft value, and the players being taken way too high based on name recognition alone.

My biggest take? Preseason DOES matter when you know what to look for.

Follow Brittany Between the Chaos, download the episode, and share it with the football fan who is definitely going to disagree with me.

#NFL #NFLPreseason #FantasyFootball #FootballPodcast #NFLNews #FantasyFootballTips #NFLRookies #FootballTalk #NFLHotTakes #FantasyDraft #SportsPodcast #WomenInSports #FootballFans #NFL2026 #BrittanyBetweenTheChaos

Football season is almost here, and this episode is for everyone who knows the excitement, stress, rivalries, traditions, and trash talk that come with loving the game.

I’m sharing what it was like being raised a San Francisco 49ers fan, my memories of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Mariucci, my old-school 49ers trivia game, and why the 49ers–Packers rivalry still hits differently.

We’re also talking about why sports should bring people together, why women shouldn’t have to prove they know football, and why you don’t need to memorize every statistic to be a real fan.

Whether you’re a lifelong football fanatic, a fantasy football addict, a Sunday-game-day person, or you’re just here for the food and friendly arguments, this episode is for you.

What team are you riding with this season—and which team do you absolutely love to hate?

Listen now and join the conversation.

#FootballSeason #NFL #SanFrancisco49ers #49ersFaithful #NinersNation #GoNiners #FootballPodcast #SportsPodcast #WomenInSports #GirlsWhoLoveFootball #NFLFans #FootballFans #FantasyFootball #GameDay #SundayFootball #NFLSeason #49ersVsPackers #JoeMontana #JerryRice #BrittanyBetweenTheChaos

Okay… I watched the Candace Owens vs. Andrew Wilson debate, and somehow I walked away with MORE questions than I had going in.

In Episode 2 of Brittany Between the Chaos, I’m talking about the debate, Patrick Bet-David’s moderating, the questions surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and why I think we should be able to ask questions without immediately being called crazy or a conspiracy theorist.

We’re talking about Charlie’s belongings, the vehicle, the crime scene being altered so quickly, the infamous “paver emergency,” and the $300,000 debate money.

And yes…

Andrew — where are the receipts? 😂

I’m also talking about the bigger issue that really stood out to me after the debate: Who gets to question the narrative?

You don’t have to agree with Candace. You don’t have to agree with Andrew. You don’t have to believe every theory you hear.

But I think we should be able to ask:

What happened? Why did it happen? And can someone explain it?

Because there’s a difference between what we know, what we think we know, and what we’re assuming.

I’m not here to tell you I have all the answers.

I’m here to ask the questions.

So… let’s get into it.

🎙️ Brittany Between the Chaos — Episode 2

#CandaceOwens #AndrewWilson #CharlieKirk #PatrickBetDavid #TrueCrime #CharlieKirkInvestigation #BrittanyBetweenTheChaos

Okay, so we’re starting this podcast off with a LOT. 😂

In my very first episode of Brittany Between the Chaos, I’m talking about the Candace Owens and Andrew Wilson debate, the Charlie Kirk investigation, and the questions surrounding the evidence in this case.

I’ve been watching everything unfold, and one thing kept bothering me — the evidence.

What was collected? What wasn’t? And what actually happens when investigators process a crime scene like this?

I also bring up the Lindsay Clancy trial, because watching the evidence being presented in that case made me start thinking about how physical evidence — including clothing, DNA, blood evidence and other forensic evidence — is collected and preserved.

And I want to be clear: I’m not saying I know exactly what happened, and I’m not saying one side is automatically right.

I’m asking questions.

Because there’s a BIG difference between what we know, what we think we know, and what people on the internet are saying.

So let’s talk about it.

Why is certain evidence collected in one case and not another? Is collecting a victim’s clothing standard procedure? What determines what investigators preserve? And when we don't know the answer, can we just admit that we don't know yet?

That’s what Brittany Between the Chaos is all about.

No pretending I have all the answers. No screaming at each other. Just me, trying to make sense of the chaos and asking the questions that keep popping into my head.

Welcome to Episode 1. Let’s get into it.

#BrittanyBetweenTheChaos #CandaceOwens #AndrewWilson #CharlieKirk #LindsayClancy #TrueCrime #CrimeNews #ForensicEvidence #CrimeSceneInvestigation

Welcome to Brittany Between the Chaos! This short introduction is just the beginning.

Get to know (me) Brittany—a mom of three, entrepreneur, medical girl, dog lover, and someone who has been through the beautiful, messy, and unexpected parts of life.

In this podcast, we’ll have real conversations about motherhood, mental health, business, relationships, wellness, life, dogs, uncomfortable truths, and the occasional conspiracy rabbit hole.

No perfection. No pretending. Just real life, real talk, and no filter.

This is Episode 0—and I’m so glad you’re here. ❤️