Hayden Panettiere’s co-stars pay ‘Kairi’ tribute day before her death…
The timing is haunting.
Just one day before Hayden Panettiere’s death at age 36, two of her “Kingdom Hearts” co-stars reunited onstage for the first time to carry out an emotional scene involving her beloved character, Kairi.
Haley Joel Osment, who voices Sora, and David Gallagher, the voice of Riku, appeared together Saturday at the “Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts” panel at D23 in Anaheim, Calif.
The pair carried out the game’s iconic “Realm of Darkness” ending sequence, a scene they’d never carried out live together and recorded together in the same voice sales space.
The performance took on an eerie significance Sunday, when Panettiere’s household confirmed that the actress had died. During the D23 panel, Osment and Gallagher read Kairi’s phrases from the scene as footage from the game performed behind them, per Parade.
“Thinking of you, wherever you are,” Osment started.
“We pray for our sorrows to end, and hope that our hearts will blend,” he continued. “Now I will step forward to realize this wish.”
The scene goes on to explain a new journey and the shared connection between the game’s many worlds.
Kairi, voiced by Hayden Panettiere, in a scene from the video game “Kingdom Hearts.” Square Enix
Haley Joel Osment and David Gallagher voice characters Sora and Riku in the video game “Kingdom Hearts.” YouTube/IGN
“There are many worlds, but they share the same sky — one sky, one destiny,” Osment said.
Gallagher then delivered Riku’s strains as the characters reunited, finally reaching out his hand to Osment.
“We’ll go together,” Osment said.
“Riku takes his hand,” Gallagher added as he prolonged his hand towards Osment.
The two actors clasped fingers before embracing as the viewers erupted in applause.
The clip, posted to YouTube, shortly took on a very poignant tone following news of Panettiere’s tragic passing.
Panettiere first voiced Kairi in the authentic “Kingdom Hearts” game in 2002. She reprised the position in “Kingdom Hearts II” in 2005 and later returned for the 2010 prequel “Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.”
Kairi is one among the collection’ seven Princesses of Heart and is intently linked to Sora and Riku throughout the franchise.
The character was recast in “Kingdom Hearts III,” the place Kairi is voiced by Alyson Stoner, who also paid tribute to the late actress Monday.
Panettiere’s fellow baby star and “Kingdom Hearts” voice actor Alyson Stoner also paid tribute to the late actress. Getty Images
Stoner shared an emotional message on Instagram following the “Nashville” star’s death.
“From one Kairi to another… One sky, one destiny,” Stoner wrote. “My deepest condolences to Hayden’s family, community, and the many lives Hayden reached. May you rest in freedom, Hayden.”
Stoner requested followers to present them some grace while they processed Panettiere’s death. Disney through Getty Images
Stoner also despatched like to followers of the franchise who had treasured Panettiere’s work over the years. In an accompanying video, Stoner turned visibly emotional while discussing the actress.
“Hey, this is very raw. It’s very messy; please give me some grace,” they said.
“I wanted to acknowledge Hayden’s passing. I’ve worked with Hayden, I’ve worked with Hayden’s brother Jansen,” Stoner continued. “And from one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ family but of course for all of the close loved ones and millions of lives that Hayden reached.”
Stoner ended the video by urging followers to look after themselves and one another.
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