It's been a bad week for Hayden Panettiere. First, she exploded at reporters at a charity event in Hawaii, then media reports surfaced that she was throwing tantrums on the set of Heroes in an effort to get ex-boyfriend Milo Ventimiglia fired. And now that the 19-year-old is going into damage control mode, she couldn't get People or even Us Weekly to run the story, turning instead to the Jan Brady of gossip rags, OK! Magazine. (Yes, we realize the irony of Dose.ca looking down on any gossip rag.)

"I have tremendous respect for the media and reporters – particularly the press who treat the people they are interviewing with dignity," Panettiere told OK!. "I am appreciative that the press has supported me, my career, and especially the causes I feel passionately about."

As for her temper flare-up, the actress says the whole incident was exaggerated by the media.

"While in Hawaii, one reporter grabbed me suddenly from behind and frightened me. It happens," she said. "Typically, the press has treated me with great respect."

But what of the rumours that Panettiere is trying to get Ventimiglia kicked off the set of Heroes so that she won't have to see her ex anymore?

"Milo and I are very close," she replied. "We have enjoyed and continue to enjoy working together."

Still, Heroes executive producer Tim Kring put in his two cents, assuring OK! that his little blonde cheerleader has no say when it comes to casting.

"The final decision about which characters live and die on Heroes rests with me," he said. "I've made no announcement yet as to who will return and who won't."

Well, if the Heroes ratings keep going the way they're going, whether or not to kill certain characters will be a moot point. But hey, then Panettiere won't have to work with Ventimiglia anymore! Everybody wins!

Related Links:
• Gallery: Hollywood Heartbreak
• Hayden Uses Her Super-Strength on TV Reporter
• Is Hayden Panettiere Trying to Get Her Ex Fired?
• Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere Break Up

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