Hayden Panettiere Talks About The Difficulties Of Growing Up In The Spotlight

Hayden Panettiere started acting before she learned how to add and subtract, so she’s been in the spotlight for quite some time. But, unlike some of her fellow peers, she has stayed grounded and avoid getting into trouble. Former child actors can definitely learn a thing or two from the petite blonde (coughAmandaBynescough). The 23-year-old recently talked about the difficulties of growing up in show business and how she didn’t let it get to her.

“I’m no better than anybody else, and those same doors were opened to me, and they’re very easy to walk through … drugs, alcohol, you know, being in inappropriate places that you shouldn’t be at a certain age. And it’s a very tough position to be in, but I had great people to pull me back from it,” she said.

Panettiere admitted that it wasn’t easy knowing that people were watching her and waiting for her to mess up. But luckily she had good people around her who helped her stay on track.

“As long as you have people who are willing to tell you the truth and who are not afraid to tell you the truth, and who are there to yank you back when you need it and give you a reality check, it makes a world of difference.”

Panettiere is not the only former child star who has stayed out of trouble. Hilary Duff also has managed to behave herself since her Lizzie McGuire days. She is now a wife to former hockey player Mike Comrie and a mom to her 15-month baby Luca. Even Miley Cyrus admitted in 2008 that Duff is her role model.

“Hilary has kind of set the way for all of us, not only just in a business sense, but by saying that it is OK to be a good girl,” Cyrus said.

[Image via Shuttershock]