How Hayden Panettiere Used Sky-High Heels to Master Red Carpet Proportions

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Hayden Panettiere was a petite American actress and singer best known for playing Claire Bennet in the TV series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville. She stood 5 feet and ¼ inches (153 cm) tall and wore a shoe size 5 (US). Panettiere died at the age of 36 on August 16, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina.

At 5 feet and ¼ inches, Panettiere stood significantly below the average American woman’s height of 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm). Jasmin Savoy Brown, at 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), stood roughly 17.2 cm (6.77 inches) taller than Panettiere when the two appeared together at the Scream VI world premiere in 2023.

Hayden Panettiere, standing at 5ft ¼ in (153 cm), and Jasmin Savoy Brown, towering at 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), attended the world premiere of Paramount's "Scream VI"Hayden Panettiere, standing at 5ft ¼ in (153 cm), and Jasmin Savoy Brown, towering at 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), attended the world premiere of Paramount’s “Scream VI” at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on March 6, 2023, in New York City (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Hayden Panettiere’s Go-To Heels and Towering Romance With Wladimir Klitschko

Hayden Panettiere never let her petite frame define her red-carpet presence. She was often photographed beside former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko—whose towering 6ft 5 in (196 cm) height created a striking 17-inch height difference, making her footwear choices especially noticeable at public appearances.

Whether in platform boots or sky-high heels, Panettiere consistently used fashion to visually balance the dramatic height gap, making footwear an especially memorable part of her public style.

Hayden Panettiere dramatically narrows the height difference with Wladimir Klitschko by wearing bold platform boots—made even more effective as she stands one step above himHayden Panettiere dramatically narrows the height difference with Wladimir Klitschko by wearing bold platform boots—made even more effective as she stands one step above him (Credit: Patrick Hoffmann / WENN)

Throughout her career, Hayden Panettiere frequently turned to high heels from major designers to add height to her petite 5-foot frame. Her footwear archive includes memorable designs from Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Giuseppe Zanotti, Saint Laurent, Chloé, and Tom Ford.

Hayden Panettiere’s Best High-Heel Moments: Elevating Style with Every Step

Across years of appearances documented by Best Quality Luxury Shoes Online Store, Panettiere wore heels from Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo, Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin, Chloé, and Giuseppe Zanotti, building a footwear archive that ranged from towering platforms to sleek red-carpet pumps.

👠 Explore Hayden Panettiere’s Style Shoe Moments:

Together, these appearances trace Panettiere’s evolving approach to footwear, from statement boots and towering platforms to classic designer pumps that became a recurring part of her red-carpet style.

Another memorable shoe moment was her appearance at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards:

Hayden Panettiere’s Purple Platform Pumps Steal the Show at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards

Hayden Panettiere's heavily beaded purple Zuhair Murad dress, while somewhat matching the carpet, showcased her impeccable styleHayden Panettiere’s heavily beaded purple Zuhair Murad dress, while somewhat matching the carpet, showcased her impeccable style (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

Back in 2012, Hayden Panettiere made a glamorous statement at the Teen Choice Awards, stepping onto the purple carpet in a heavily beaded Zuhair Murad gown paired with towering purple platform pumps.

While the jewel-toned dress echoed the event’s signature hue, her sky-high heels delivered the drama—an early example of how Panettiere used bold footwear to elevate both her stature and her red-carpet presence.

Hayden Panettiere made quite an impression at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards with her glamorous appearanceHayden Panettiere made quite an impression at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards with her glamorous appearance at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, California, on July 22, 2012 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

Soft, beachy waves balanced the high-shine look, while natural, glowing makeup kept the overall effect polished rather than overpowering.

Her purple platform pumps completed the ensemble, with leopard-print soles adding subtle contrast and edge to the otherwise monochromatic moment.

Hayden Panettiere added height by wearing B Brian Atwood 'Fontanne' snake-embossed and leopard-printed platform pumpsHayden Panettiere added height by wearing B Brian Atwood ‘Fontanne’ snake-embossed and leopard-printed platform pumps (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

Hayden Panettiere earned a place on our favorite shoes at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards list with those B Brian Atwood ‘Fontanne’ snake-embossed and leopard-printed platform pumps.

B Brian Atwood Fontanne platform pumps in purple multi, featuring a mixed-texture snakeskin upper, leopard-print platform, and sky-high stiletto heel

B Brian Atwood Fontanne platform pumps in purple multi, featuring a mixed-texture snakeskin upper, leopard-print platform, and sky-high stiletto heel

B Brian Atwood Fontanne platform pumps in purple multi, featuring a mixed-texture snakeskin upper, leopard-print platform, and sky-high stiletto heelB Brian Atwood Fontanne platform pumps in purple multi, featuring a mixed-texture snakeskin upper, leopard-print platform, and sky-high stiletto heel

Bold fashion choices were a recurring theme throughout Panettiere’s career, including during her younger years, when her red-carpet style was often closely scrutinized.

At the time, she acknowledged the attention with a grounded perspective, emphasizing that she was still growing and learning like any young woman in the public eye.

Hayden Panettiere Stuns in Sequins at the 2012 American Music Awards

On November 18, 2012, she wore another stunning outfit to the 2012 American Music Awards.

Hayden Panettiere wore a sequined Armani dress at the 40th Anniversary American Music AwardsHayden Panettiere wore a sequined Armani dress at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, November 18, 2012 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

She donned a sequin Armani dress paired with a sculptural Giorgio Armani clutch, jewels by Jacqueline Nerguizian, and peep-toe pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti:

Hayden Panettiere toted a sculptural Giorgio Armani clutchHayden Panettiere toted a sculptural Giorgio Armani clutch (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

The Nashville star presented an award during the live broadcast!

Hayden Panettiere adorned herself with Jacqueline Nerguizian jewelryHayden Panettiere adorned herself with Jacqueline Nerguizian jewelry (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

She accessorized with jewelry by Jacqueline Nerguizian, a third-generation jeweler and certified gemologist.

Hayden Panettiere looked taller thanks to her stunning peep-toe pumps by Giuseppe ZanottiHayden Panettiere looked taller thanks to her stunning peep-toe pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

Panettiere also spoke candidly about body image and the expectations placed on young women in Hollywood. Reflecting on her own figure, she once said, “I don’t have a model’s body… I’m okay with what I have. I can rock this body, you know?”

Hayden Panettiere Silences Critics in Ultra-Seductive Black Lace Dress

Earlier in her career, Panettiere sometimes faced criticism from celebrity media for choosing looks considered mature for her age, but sophisticated eveningwear became a recognizable part of her red-carpet style.

Hayden Panettiere elegantly dressed for the United People Charity Night in Munich, Germany, on September 24, 2010, showcasing a sophisticated black lace dressHayden Panettiere elegantly dressed for the United People Charity Night in Munich, Germany, on September 24, 2010, showcasing a sophisticated black lace dress (Credit: WENN)

At a 2010 charity event in Munich, Hayden Panettiere leaned into elegant eveningwear in a long-sleeved black lace dress from Emilio Pucci’s Fall 2010 RTW collection.

The look balanced coverage and transparency with intricate lace detailing, paired with onyx drop earrings by Kara Ackerman Designs and classic Brian Atwood Contessa pumps—an early example of her polished, confident red-carpet style.

Hayden Panettiere captivates in a chic Emilio Pucci long-sleeved black lace dress at the United People Charity Night, September 24, 2010, in Munich, GermanyHayden Panettiere captivates in a chic Emilio Pucci long-sleeved black lace dress at the United People Charity Night, September 24, 2010, in Munich, Germany (Credit: WENN)

Panettiere’s willingness to experiment extended beyond sky-high heels and edgy boots to statement dresses. At the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards, she paired that adventurous approach with a graphic Rococo-print look by Tibi.

Tibi’s Rococo Print Takes Center Stage on Hayden Panettiere at MTV EMAs

At the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast, Panettiere showed off her legs in a black-and-white Rococo-print Tibi dress, continuing the polished yet playful approach that defined many of her early red-carpet looks.

Hayden Panettiere highlighted her hot legs in a graphic print monochrome dress by TibiHayden Panettiere highlighted her hot legs in a graphic print monochrome dress by Tibi

She completed the graphic Tibi dress with classic black peep-toe heels, a clutch, and sparkling jewelry, keeping the accessories streamlined against the busy Rococo print.

For the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards in Northern Ireland, Hayden Panettiere rocked a playful party look with a Tibi Rococo print silk twill cap sleeve dress, Stella  Dot Petra fringe earrings, and Christian Louboutin knotted pumpsFor the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards in Northern Ireland on November 6, 2011, Hayden Panettiere rocked a playful party look with a Tibi Rococo print silk twill cap sleeve dress, Stella Dot Petra fringe earrings, and Christian Louboutin knotted pumps (Credit: Ian Wilson / WENN / Lia Toby)

Petite Celebrity Style: Stars Around Hayden Panettiere’s Height

Across more than two decades in the public eye, Hayden Panettiere showed how a petite frame could work with everything from towering platforms to streamlined pumps and ankle boots.

At just over 5 feet tall, she was also part of a long tradition of petite celebrities who have used heels, platforms, and proportion-conscious styling to shape their red-carpet looks.

👠 Stylish Celebrities Around Hayden’s Height: