‘The Light Surrounds You Now’: Solange Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Late ‘Bring It On’ Costar Hayden Panettiere

The entertainment community continues to grieve the sudden and untimely passing of Hayden Panettiere at age 36, an unexpected loss that has prompted an outpouring of heartfelt remembrances from across the industry.

Among those honoring her memory is Grammy-winning multidisciplinary artist Solange, who shared an evocative tribute celebrating her former co-star from the 2006 teen classic Bring It On: All or Nothing. Accompanying her message, the singer-songwriter posted a series of film stills capturing their time on set, culminating in a poignant frame of the two looking toward one another with the tender caption, “Warriors 4 life.”

“Rest in peace Hayden. In peace, because you are so deserving of it,” Solange expressed in her reflection. “We had so many parallels in our lives, and the world watched you so courageously live in your radical truth, telling your story. We watched your endless quest for vulnerability, and healing.”

Reflecting on the legacy of their shared project and their shared journey coming of age in the public eye, Solange added:

“I salute your journey, and I honor the work we created together that became something that really means something to people… reaching people we couldn’t have ever imagined at the time, as two young girls, trying to keep looking to the light. The light surrounds you now. Rest easy, Hayden.”

Panettiere’s passing comes shortly after the release of her revealing memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. The book offered an unvarnished examination of her lifelong journey with mental health and substance abuse—challenges compounded by early childhood stardom and severe postpartum depression following the 2014 arrival of her daughter, Kaya. Earlier this year, the two-time Golden Globe nominee also candidly came out as bisexual, embracing her truth with openness.

First released on home video in August 2006, Bring It On: All or Nothing served as the popular third entry in the cheerleading franchise, centering on the spirited dynamic between Panettiere and Solange (then credited as Solange Knowles-Smith), alongside a memorable cameo from a rising Rihanna. In the years that followed, Panettiere established herself as a formidable television lead through powerhouse performances in Heroes, Scream 4, and Nashville—the latter yielding her charted single “Undermine.” Meanwhile, Solange blossomed into an acclaimed auteur, earning widespread critical acclaim and chart supremacy with landmark albums including A Seat at the Table and When I Get Home.

According to a statement issued by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office in South Carolina, first responders were dispatched to treat Panettiere following reports of cardiac arrest. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts and emergency medical intervention, the actress was pronounced dead shortly after arriving personnel initiated care. The official cause and manner of death remain under investigation.

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