Blake Lively shared a poignant message about kindness while remembering her late former co-stars Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Trachtenberg, following Panettiere's death at age 36.
The actress shared a compilation of scenes from the 2005 Disney film Ice Princess featuring Panettiere and Trachtenberg on her Instagram Stories on Monday, 17 August. Alongside the nostalgic footage, Lively shared a simple message that seemed to carry particular weight after the two actresses' deaths.
'Be. Kind. You never know what others are going through,' Lively wrote.
She followed the message with a tribute to both actresses, adding: 'Thank you to both these women for all the joy you brought so many.'
Lively's Telling Message on Kindness
Rather than sharing a lengthy statement, Lively chose to let a short reminder about compassion accompany footage of the two actresses together.
Her words are particularly poignant, as Panettiere died less than 18 months after Trachtenberg in February 2025. The pair had known each other since childhood and later appeared together in Ice Princess, where they played skating rivals who eventually became friends. Panettiere had spoken about their long-standing friendship in a 2025 interview, recalling knowing Trachtenberg since their Harriet the Spy days.
Lively's post brought together two actresses who shared a history long before their deaths, while also highlighting her own connections with them.
Her Connection to Both Actresses
Lively worked with Trachtenberg again years after Ice Princess when they joined the cast of Gossip Girl.
Trachtenberg played the memorable character Georgina Sparks, while Lively starred as Serena van der Woodsen. Their characters' complicated relationship became one of the show's recurring storylines, giving the actresses a professional connection that extended well beyond their earlier Disney film.
Lively previously remembered Trachtenberg following her death in February 2025, praising her kindness and the energy she brought into every room.
Her latest tribute also comes as other Ice Princess stars remember both actresses. Kim Cattrall, who played Trachtenberg's mother and Panettiere's character's mother in the film, recently paid tribute to both women after their deaths.
Hayden Panettiere Died at 36
Panettiere died Sunday, 16 August, in Greenville, South Carolina, at age 36.
The actress became a household name after rising to fame as a child, then starring in major projects including Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise. Her death was confirmed by her family, who remembered her for the joy she brought to those around her.
Emergency responders were called to a residence after a report of cardiac arrest. Panettiere was found unresponsive and pronounced dead after attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. Authorities have said there were no signs of foul play, while the official cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
That uncertainty makes Lively's decision to focus on kindness rather than speculation particularly notable.
Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about difficult periods in her life, including addiction, postpartum depression and grief following the death of her younger brother Jansen in 2023. Her openness about those experiences made discussions about mental health an important part of her public story.
Michelle Trachtenberg's Death
Trachtenberg died on 26 February 2025 at the age of 39.
The actress was best known for roles including Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl and Casey Carlyle in Ice Princess.
Her death was later attributed to complications of diabetes mellitus and was ruled natural. Her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from former co-stars, friends and fans.
Panettiere's death has now brought renewed attention to the friendship between the two actresses. Fans of Ice Princess have been revisiting the film and remembering the pair's performances together.
A Nostalgic Tribute With a Simple Message
Lively's choice to share Ice Princess footage made the tribute feel personal without turning it into a lengthy statement. The film remains a particularly fitting reminder of Panettiere and Trachtenberg because it captured them together at a young age, before both went on to establish successful careers across television and film.
Their connection also adds a layer to Lively's words. She knew Trachtenberg as a Gossip Girl co-star, while the Ice Princess footage allowed her to remember both women together.
'Be. Kind. You never know what others are going through,' Lively wrote.
The actress did not elaborate on what prompted the wording, but the message has resonated amid the renewed wave of tributes following Panettiere's death.
With Panettiere's cause of death still under investigation and Trachtenberg's death having come after her own reported health struggles, Lively's focus on empathy offers a clear reminder of the importance of looking beyond what people show publicly.
For fans remembering the two actresses, her tribute was ultimately less about revisiting their careers and more about celebrating the happiness they brought audiences—while urging others to respond to people with compassion.
