Kairi’s Voice Actress Honors Hayden Panettiere: “A Heartfelt Tribute from One Kairi to Another”

Hayden Panettiere, the original voice of Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts series, passed away yesterday at the age of 36. Fans of her contributions to the beloved Square Enix and Disney RPGs have been sharing their tributes, including Alyson Stoner, who took over the role of Kairi after Panettiere stepped back.

Stoner, who first voiced Kairi in the remake of Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories, shared an emotional video on Instagram, reflecting on her experiences working with both Hayden and her brother Jansen, who also 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 expressed.

Square Enix also issued a heartfelt statement, describing Panettiere’s portrayal of Kairi as “unforgettable.”

“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 voiced Kairi in the first two mainline Kingdom Hearts games and later took on the role of Xion in the 3DS title Dream Drop Distance, a character that Stoner also voiced throughout the series. Beyond Kingdom Hearts, Panettiere was well-known in gaming for her role as Sam in Until Dawn. Her acting career flourished in film and television, making her a household name with roles in shows like Nashville and Heroes, along with various Disney projects outside of Kingdom Hearts.

While no official cause of death has been confirmed, early reports indicate concerns regarding a possible cardiac arrest based on the 911 dispatch call.