Add The California Post on Google 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 perform 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, California.
The pair performed the game’s iconic “Realm of Darkness” ending sequence, a scene they had never performed live together and had not recorded together in the same voice booth.
The performance took on an eerie significance Sunday, when Panettiere’s family confirmed that the actress had passed away. During the D23 panel, Osment and Gallagher read Kairi’s words from the scene as footage from the game played behind them, per Parade.
“Thinking of you, wherever you are,” Osment began.
“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 describe a new journey and the shared connection between the game’s many worlds.
“There are many worlds, but they share the same sky — one sky, one destiny,” Osment said.
Gallagher then delivered Riku’s lines as the characters reunite, eventually reaching out his hand to Osment.
“Riku takes his hand,” Gallagher added as he extended his hand toward Osment.
The two actors clasped hands before embracing as the audience erupted in applause.
The clip, posted to YouTube, quickly became particularly poignant following news of Panettiere’s tragic passing.
Panettiere first voiced Kairi in the original “Kingdom Hearts” game in 2002. She reprised the role in “Kingdom Hearts II” in 2005 and later returned for “Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep”.
Kairi is one of the series’ seven Princesses of Heart and is closely connected to Sora and Riku throughout the franchise.
The character was recast in “Kingdom Hearts III”, where Kairi is voiced by Alyson Stoner, who also paid tribute to the late actress Monday.
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 also sent love to fans of the franchise who had treasured Panettiere’s work over the years. In an accompanying video, Stoner became 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 fans to look after themselves and one another.
