Hayden Panettiere Engagement Finally Confirmed
Hayden Panettiere finally confirmed that she is engaged to boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko on Wednesday, stepping out with a diamond ring this week.
The "Nashville" star has endured an on-and-off-again relationship with the Olympic boxer, and rumors of their engagement first arose in March.
However, Panettiere waited until Wednesday's appearance on "Live! With Kelly and Michael" to confirm her plans to marry.
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After show's hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan introduced Panettiere as a guest, Ripa inquired about the large diamond on the actress' left hand.
"I'm not sure if you want to announce anything, does that signify anything, is that a promise of something," Ripa asked.
In response, Penettiere coyly said the ring "might" mean something.
"I mean, I think it speaks for itself," she said, before Ripa prompted her again.
"I am [engaged]," the actress finally exclaimed.
Panettiere was first introduced to the 37-year-old boxing champion in 2009 and dated for two years before splitting up. This spring though, the actress began dating Klitschko again, this time more seriously.
"It's like the 2.0 version," she explained to Glamour magazine of giving Kitschko another chance.
Rumors of an engagement began back in March when Panettiere was spotted wearing a diamond band on her ring finger. However, two months later, the actress said, "No ring," while holding up her left hand.
Nevertheless, the actress said her busy filming schedule has gotten in the way of wedding plans thus far.
When asked about wedding rumors over the summer, Penattiere became cross.
"I'm kind of confused as to when they think that's going to happen," she told E! News. "We shoot from the end of July to the end of April."
Panettiere currently stars on the hit television series "Nashville," but she previously starred on "Heroes" where she played Claire Bennett, a teen with regenerative powers.
"Nashville" airs Wednesdays on ABC at 10 p.m. EST.
