Brian Hickerson confirmed that he and Hayden Panettiere, who have been in a relationship for four years, have split for good.
In a video obtained by the Daily Mail, Hickerson was asked by a paparazzo how he and Panettiere were doing, to which he replied, “Just, you know, friends.”
And when asked more directly if they were still together, he said, “No, absolutely not.”
Hickerson, who is on probation over alleged domestic violence incidents involving Panettiere, added that the exes would never reconcile and said he is “looking forward to new chapters”.
The broker, 33, also spoke of the wild hotel fights he and Panettiere, 32, got into in May, saying it wasn’t his best moment.
The altercation took place outside the Sunset Marquis in Los Angeles, where Panettiere was seen trying to break up a fight between Hickerson and fellow beneficiaries.
“I can’t really talk about it, but it’s over. Went to treatment. I got help,” he said, explaining that his treatment is “absolutely working” and that he feels good.
Hickerson was asked for his opinion on the former “Heroes” star’s interview this week, where she revealed a secret battle with opioids and alcohol addiction.
“Oh, it was great,” he told the interviewer, adding that he was “always” and “absolutely” happy for her.
And as for how Hickerson feels about Panettiere going back to her Hollywood career, he said, “I’m excited to see the next opportunities ahead of her. She’s out there, you know, ‘Scream 6’, so… I think everyone [would] like to see.”
Panettiere sat down for an all-encompassing interview with People published on Wednesday, where she revealed her addiction had gotten so “out of control” that it caused her relationship with ex Wladimir Klitschko – with whom she shares her 7-year-old daughter Kaya. – crumble.
“He didn’t want to be near me,” she said. “I didn’t want to be near me. But with the opiates and alcohol I did everything to make me happy. Then I would feel worse than before. I was in a cycle of self-destruction.”
Discussing her decision to let her daughter live with Klitschko in Ukraine amid her struggles, the “Remember the Titans” alum said it was “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But I wanted to be a good mother for her.” are – and sometimes that means I have to let them go.”
Panettiere hit rock bottom when she was hospitalized for jaundice when her liver began to fail. After she recovered, she went to rehab for eight months, which she says has helped her overcome her addictions.
“It’s a daily choice, and I check with myself all the time,” she told People. “But I’m just so grateful to be a part of this world again, and I’ll never take it for granted again.”
Meanwhile, Hickerson and Panettiere had a volatile relationship before calling things off for good.
As Vidak For Congress reported in May 2019, the LAPD arrested Hickerson after the couple got into a physical altercation at their LA home after a night of drinking in Hollywood. Hickerson was ordered to stay 100 yards away from Panettiere, although he pleaded not guilty.
The case was later dropped, but Hickerson was arrested again in 2020 and ultimately did not plead guilty to two charges for injuring a partner.
Speaking about reconnecting with Hickerson after the drama unfolded, Panettiere told People in the new interview, “Nothing’s okay, and I want to make sure everyone knows that. But I’m open to people who are willing to help. to seek and make amends.”
The duo dated occasionally since the summer of 2018.