James Blunt Rejects Speculation Linking Him to Hayden Panettiere Memoir Incident

James Blunt has rejected online speculation linking him to a disturbing incident described by the late actress Hayden Panettiere in her memoir.

The British singer shared an article by writer Dean Piper on X that argued Blunt could not have been the man Panettiere described. Online speculation began after people noticed that Blunt and Panettiere were photographed together at an amfAR event in Cannes in 2009 and on a boat the following day.

Panettiere, who died Aug. 16 at age 36, wrote in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” that when she was 18, a trusted friend took her to a yacht cabin where she encountered a famous British singer-songwriter in his 30s. She said the experience left her frightened and dissociated, but that she ultimately left the room and arranged to leave the yacht.

Piper noted that Panettiere was 19, nearly 20, when the 2009 photographs with Blunt were taken. He also pointed to her statement that she had not met the man before the incident and left the yacht afterward.

Panettiere later discussed the experience on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast, saying she felt betrayed by someone she had trusted.

Panettiere died in South Carolina shortly before her 37th birthday. Authorities have said there were no signs of trauma, and the investigation into her death remains ongoing. An official cause of death has not yet been announced.