Towards the end of last year she was undergoing treatment for postpartum depression but it looks like Hayden Panettiere is starting 2016 on a high. The Nashville star made her debut at awards season on Sunday, attending the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles.
Walking the "blue" carpet, the 26-year-old showed off her curves in a peach, ultra-feminine gown that featured a daring cut-out on the bust.
Hayden was all smiles – she was making her return to the limelight and was also being nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
© Photo: Getty ImagesHayden Panettiere said that women need to "know that they're not alone"
The fresh-faced beauty took the time to speak about her postpartum depression, and how she was "really surprised" by the outpouring of love she received from fans and women around the world.
"I've gotten an incredible amount of support and I was actually really surprised," Hayden told Entertainment Tonight. "'Cause I feel like I grew up in this industry that, in my mind, was very judgmental.
"I didn't even look at social media. Then, when I looked, people were like, 'Oh my gosh, good for you,' and I am so proud to be a spokesperson and a woman that people can look to and to know that they're not alone and they're not weak if they go and they seek help."
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe 26-year-old received treatment for postpartum depression last year
Hayden, who added that she used to feel as if people were "waiting" for her to fail, welcomed her daughter Kaya in December 2014 with her fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.
The actress experienced postpartum depression and checked herself into a treatment centre in November 2015, shortly before her daughter's first birthday. Hayden, who had been receiving outpatient treatment, stayed at the Malibu facility for about a month.
She admitted that returning to work after her leave of absence was "kind of rocky".
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Nashville star, pictured with her fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, admitted that she had a "rocky" return to work
"The first scene that I did the other day when I saw certain people that I haven't seen in a while – I just lost it and I couldn't keep it together," she said. "So, it held us up for a second but we got it at the end."
In the past, the former Disney star spoke about her depression and encouraged other women to seek professional help.
"It's something that needs to be talked about," Hayden said during an appearance on Live! With Kelly and Michael. "Women need to know that they're not alone, and that it does heal. It's something that's completely uncontrollable. It's really painful and it's really scary and women need a lot of support."
