Alyson Stoner, the current voice actor for Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts series, has paid tribute to Hayden Panettiere, the original voice of the character, following news of Panettiere's passing at age 36. Panettiere died yesterday, and fans of her work in the Square Enix and Disney RPGs have been sharing their condolences.
Stoner, who first voiced Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories remake, posted a tearful video on Instagram reflecting on their time working with Panettiere and her brother Jansen, who passed away in 2023. "From one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the Kingdom Hearts family, but of course, all the close loved ones and millions of lives that Hayden reached," Stoner said.
Square Enix also issued a statement mourning Panettiere's death, describing her performance as Kairi as "unforgettable." The company stated, "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hayden Panettiere. Through her performance as Kairi, Hayden brought warmth, heart, and an unforgettable voice to the Kingdom Hearts series. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and loved ones."
Panettiere lent her voice to Kairi in the first and second main installments of the Kingdom Hearts saga. She also voiced the character Xion in the Nintendo 3DS title Dream Drop Distance, a role later taken on by Stoner. Outside of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, Panettiere was recognized for her role as Sam in the Supermassive Games title Until Dawn. Her broader acting career notably included prominent roles in television series such as Nashville and Heroes, as well as other Disney projects.
While an official cause of death has not been released, early reports from 911 dispatch indicate concerns of a possible cardiac arrest.