Charles Esten, Connie Britton, Sam Palladio and other stars of the hit TV series, Nashville, have paid tribute to their late co-star, Hayden Panettiere, who sadly passed away earlier this week on Sunday August 16th.

“Patty and I are stunned and saddened at the loss of our dear and beautiful friend, Hayden,” Esten captioned his carousel, documenting his close friendship with the actress.

Sharing the story of how they met, Esten recalled his memories fondly, sharing how Hayden’s face had “instantly bloomed into the most beautiful smile”. Their friendship blossomed as soon as they were thrown together on set, portraying two of the most complex characters in the series.

“She was, of course, extraordinarily talented,” he continued, “infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette”.

Castmates Connie Britton and Sam Palladio have also shared their heartbreak in hearing the news. “This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright,” Britton shared alongside her pictures with Hayden, including the two of them with country music legend, Reba McEntire.

“I’m totally and utterly heartbroken,” Palladio wrote as he recounted first meeting and working with Panettiere. He continued, poignantly, “it’s not lost on me that myself and all my ‘Nashville’ cast mates are here in no small part because of your shine, and your magnetism on and off screen”.

Tributes have poured out across the internet amidst the news of her passing. Co-stars, friends and fans have all shared stories of meeting the star, working alongside her or admiring her talent. One standout post comes from another co-star, Ed Amatrudo, who played her character, Juliette Barnes’, manager, Glenn Goodman, in Nashville.

Ed shared a grainy picture of him sitting in a director’s chair, next to an empty one with Hayden’s name on the back. His caption is simply, “No words…”. Because what words are there?

Hayden was a beloved talent across the music, TV and film industry, with her kindness, warmth and voice her lasting legacy. Her role on Nashville is timeless and will resonate with viewers for years to come. Country music - and the rest of the world - is mourning the loss of a bright star, gone too soon.