The tragic death of Hayden Panettiere last Sunday on August 21 continues to rock the entertainment world as her passing is still under investigation. Sadly, the former Guiding Light and Nashville star, died just days before her 37th birthday.

Now Grant Aleksander who played her on-screen father, Phillip Spaulding on Guiding Light a role he played on and off for nearly 30 years,  shared a touching tribute with The Locher Room via Instagram, to his former TV daughter on her birthday on Friday, August 21.

It was back in 1996-2000 that Panettiere played the role of Phillip and Beth’s (Beth Chamberlin) daughter, Lizzie Spaulding. When Hayden was on-screen her performances were outstanding even as a little girl.

Photo: CBS

Aleksander began, When I think of Hayden the first image that comes is of her running down the hall in the studio with a huge, toothy grin on her face. Literally bursting with joy. And that’s what she gave to us. Pure, infectious joy. That and a talent that belied her years.”

“She was a natural with an instinctive understanding of acting that most adult actors can only dream of possessing. But that’s not what I’ll remember most about her. It’s that sunshine she brought to all of us that were lucky enough to be in her orbit that will stay with me, expressed Grant.

He concluded with, “I’ll always cherish the years I got to be her tv Dad. I wish I could have seen her one more time just to tell her how proud I was of her. She’s left us way too soon. We can only hope that she’s finally found the peace that eluded her in her short life. Rest in peace Princess!”

Michael Fairman TV previously shared emotional tributes from many of Hayden’s co-stars here, plus Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky, GH and ex-Avery, Nashville) who wrote a beautiful tribute to his former co-star.

So, do you remember the scenes between a young Lizzie and Phillip on Guiding Light? What did you think of Grant Aleksander’s words? Let us know via the comment section below. Here’s just a sampling below, of how great Hayden was with her scene partner, Grant.

There’s a new gal coming to Salem, or is she new and a recast? That’s what inquiring minds from Days of Our Lives fans have been trying to figure out since the Peacock soap opera dropped an Instagram video heralding actress‘ Sydney Malekeh’s arrival in Salem.

The soap did confirm that viewers will first see Malekeh on the September 9 episode. In the video, Malekeh is seen going set to set from her dressing room and in to the halls of Days of Our Lives studios.

What we do know id that Sydney has been acting professionally for 6 years and had appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Apple TV’s Shrinking and the HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls.

Plenty of Malekeh’s DAYS castmates jumped into the comment thread with positive emojis symbols or written excitement including: Paul Telfer (Xander), Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Sal Stowers (Lani), Conner Floyd (Chad), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Christie Clark (Carrie) and more now that fans will finally see her on-air. Since Days of Our Lives tapes 10-11 months in advance, Sydney would have started taping the show sometime back in 2025.

DAYS fans think perhaps because the actress’ name is Sydney that she might be playing the grown-up daughter of Sami and EJ. That character hasn’t bee on the canvas since 2021.

So, who do you think Sydney Malekeh might be playing on Days of Our Lives? Drop your casting director thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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UPDATED: ‘Bachelor Nation’ favorite Tyler Cameron is one of two new additions to the cast of Dancing with the Stars upcoming season 35. Cameron will hit the ballroom dance floor and so too will dancer/actress Jenna Dewan.

Cameron is best known as the runner-up in Hannah Brown’s season of The Bachelorette, the winner of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test and starred in his own Amazon Prime home renovation series, Going Home with Tyler Cameron.

Tyler’s casting comes five years after his best friend and former ‘Bachelor’ lead Matt James competed for the Mirror Ball Trophy with pro Lindsay Arnold on season 30. US broke the casting news.

Photo: JPI

FULL DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 35 CAST REVEAL ON GMA

Dewan is best known for starring as Nora Clark in the 2006 dance film Step Up and for her television roles in Supergirl!, The Rookie, and The Witches of Eastwick to name but a few. Jenna began her career as a back-up dancer for Janet Jackson, Pink, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera before moving into acting.

The full cast of Dancing with the Stars is set to be revealed including pros and celebrity contestants on the September 2 episode of Good Morning America. However, already confirmed are: “Summer House” star Ciara Miller, “Love Island UK” alum Maura Higgins, ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ sidekick and comedian Guillermo Rodriguez and Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson.

Thursday evening August 20, TMZ is now reporting that actresses Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali have also joined the cast. Ali is remembered in the recurring role of Roxanne on The Young and the Restless from 2007 to 2013.

Last season’s Mirror Ball Trophy went to Robert Irwin, the wildlife conservationist and son of the iconic Steve Irwin, and his pro partner Witney Carson. Dancing with the Stars hopes to repeat the success of season 24 which had stellar ratings in 2025.

Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a back-to-back premiered on ABC and Disney+ starting Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET.

So, who else would you like to see join the celebrity cast of Dancing with the Stars? Share your picks via the comment section below.