Skip to Content

Hayden Panettiere confirmed Wednesday that she is engaged to Ukrainian heavyweight professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

The ‘Nashville’ star made the announcement while holding a decidedly large snake during a guest appearance on ‘Live With Michael & Kelly.’

Show co-host Kelly Ripa remarked, “I’m sort of distracted, not just by the snake, but there’s a very large diamond ring on your ring finger… I’m not sure if you want to announce anything. Does that signify anything, is that a promise of something?”

Panettiere replied, “It might be. I mean, I think it speaks for itself.” Ripa still wasn’t satisfied, “Are you engaged?” Hayden responded, “I am.”

The actress is 24 and her 6′ 6″ fiance is 37. They first began dating in 2009 and ended things in 2011–citing the difficult nature of a long-distance relationship. They reconnected in April 2013 and he reportedly popped the question earlier this summer.

ABC premiered the second season of ‘Nashville’ in late September. Hayden’s character is Juliette Barnes, a country singer and former teen sensation who is determined to become the top superstar of country music.

Check out a closeup of Hayden’s engagement sparkler below:

Photos: Twitter-Hayden Panettiere, WENN