Five things to know about Hayden Panettiere’s music and acting career

Hayden Panettiere, an actress and vocalist widely recognised for Heroes, Scream and Nashville, passed away Sunday at 36. Although she began building a lasting screen career during childhood, music also became an important part of her story, especially through her portrayal of country artist Juliette Barnes in Nashville.

Across the ABC drama’s six seasons, Panettiere recorded and performed dozens of tracks as Juliette, with many later appearing on official soundtrack albums. Her songs played a meaningful role beyond the television series, eventually reaching Billboard’s country rankings and establishing her own chart record. “Telescope” became one of the tracks most closely connected to her Nashville character, while “Undermine,” “Wrong Song” and “Don’t Put Dirt on My Grave Just Yet” also entered the charts.

Panettiere was involved in music many years before taking on the role of Juliette Barnes. During her childhood, she provided vocals for various television and movie productions, including Ice Princess and Bridge to Terabithia. She later introduced “Wake Up Call” in 2008, marking her first release created independently from an acting project and showing her interest in developing a separate recording career.

Before reaching her teenage years, Panettiere had already received recognition on one of music’s most prestigious platforms. Her vocal contribution to A Bug’s Life Read-Along secured a nomination for best spoken word album for children at the 42nd annual Grammy Awards in 2000, placing her among the youngest Grammy nominees ever. According to the Recording Academy, Panettiere received one Grammy nomination, which arrived when she was only 10.

Her musical accomplishments included everything from early Grammy recognition to country recordings that appeared on Billboard’s charts, revealing a creative career that extended well beyond acting. Here are five important facts about Panettiere’s work in music.

Hayden Panettiere Became a Grammy Nominee at Age 10

Years before her songs from Nashville began charting, Panettiere had already earned Grammy recognition. At the 42nd annual Grammy Awards in 2000, the actress received a nomination at age 10 for best spoken word album for children through A Bug’s Life Read-Along, an audio companion inspired by Pixar’s 1998 movie. The Recording Academy credits Panettiere as one of the project’s performers, meaning she became a nominee several years before entering her teens.

Hayden Panettiere Explored Pop Music Before Nashville

Nashville was not the starting point for Panettiere’s recording journey. Long before being selected to portray country pop performer Juliette Barnes, she had contributed music to several screen projects. Her earlier work included “I Fly” from Disney’s Ice Princess and “Try” from Bridge to Terabithia, along with recordings connected to Tiger Cruise, The Dust Factory, Cinderella III: A Twist in Time and other productions.

Panettiere moved closer to establishing herself as an independent recording artist in 2008 with “Wake Up Call,” a pop track influenced by reggae and her first single unrelated to a screen role. Hollywood Records issued the song digitally in August 2008 and had plans to develop her debut album. Billboard reported on the release at the time, explaining that the Heroes actress was supported by a large promotional partnership with Candie’s. The footwear and fashion company financed the music video and included the song in an advertising campaign worth several million dollars.

The proposed album was ultimately never released, but “Wake Up Call” offered a clear example of Panettiere’s potential as a musician.

Hayden Panettiere Placed 11 Tracks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart

Panettiere’s performances for Nashville achieved more than simply supporting the show’s story. While portraying Juliette Barnes, she placed 11 recordings on the Hot Country Songs chart. Those entries included “Love Like Mine,” “Undermine” with Charles Esten, “Wrong Song” with Connie Britton, “For Your Glory,” “Boys and Buses,” “I’m a Girl,” “Consider Me” and “Don’t Put Dirt on My Grave Just Yet.”

By commercially releasing music performed by its cast, Nashville brought its fictional version of Music City into the genuine country industry throughout all six seasons. As a result, Panettiere’s work as Juliette became a real element of her musical catalogue and created a notable history on Billboard’s charts.

“Telescope” Emerged as Hayden Panettiere’s Biggest Country Song

“Telescope” stands out as the recording most strongly associated with Panettiere’s music career. Issued in 2012 as the opening single from The Music of Nashville: Season 1, Volume 1, the country pop song featured Panettiere performing as Juliette Barnes. Established Nashville writers Hillary Lindsey and Cary Barlowe created the track, while Dann Huff handled production. It soon became one of the television drama’s most recognisable releases.

In December 2012, “Telescope” climbed to No. 36 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, giving Panettiere one of her highest positions as a recording artist. Its performance attracted attention because Nashville approached songs by its fictional stars as genuine commercial releases, something television dramas rarely attempted at the time. Billboard noted in October 2012 that “Love Like Mine” had already given Panettiere an entry on the Country Digital Songs chart, while “Telescope” received promotion as the programme’s first official single.

Nashville Soundtrack Albums Found Major Commercial Success

Music from the series developed into a successful commercial catalogue, beginning with The Music of Nashville: Season 1, Volume 1. The soundtrack opened at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 4 on Top Country Albums in 2012 after selling 56,000 copies during its opening week.

Panettiere continued lending her voice to later Nashville soundtrack projects across the programme’s six seasons, allowing listeners to follow her musical growth alongside Juliette’s development. Although the character existed only within the series, Panettiere’s performances connected with genuine fans and earned real positions on Billboard’s charts.