Gorgeous mum-of-one Hayden Panettiere made a triumphant return to the red carpet at this week’s Critics’ Choice Awards, looking stunning in a peach Maria Lucia Hohan dress that flattered her amazing figure.
Beaming from ear-to-ear and posing up a storm for the cameras, the actress looked completely at ease on the blue carpet at the star-studded event. However, there was a special reason behind the Nashville star’s joyful appearance – and it’s something Hayden has spoken out about in the hopes of encouraging other women.
Hayden looked positively glowing at the Critics’ Choice Awards. Photo: Getty
Hayden and her boxer fiancé Wladimir Klitschko welcomed their own little bundle of joy on December 9, 2014 – a daughter named Kaya Evdokia. Ten months later, the 26-year-old actress voluntarily checked into a treatment centre to seek professional help for postpartum depression (PPD).
She later opened up about her experiences during an appearance on Live! With Michael and Kelly, confirming she had PPD just like her character Juliette on Nashville did.
Hayden’s character on Nashville has also experienced PPD.
“I can very much relate. It’s something a lot of women experience,” she told the hosts.
“It’s something that needs to be talked about. Women need to know that they’re not alone, and that it does heal.”
Monday’s Critics’ Choice Awards marked Hayden’s first solo appearance on the red carpet since undergoing treatment, and the actress said it felt like a totally different experience now that she could be open about her struggles.
“I’ve really gone, ‘You know what, I’ve been in this industry for so long, forget it!’ I’ve been hiding myself. Just putting out the smiling face, showing people this, and allowing that veil to come down — it’s like a weight off my shoulders,” she told People.
“The only important thing to me is that I’m not causing myself pain and discomfort anymore, and I can be a strong woman for my daughter to look up to.”
The actress added that she was “floored” by all the support she received after going public with her story.
“I’m really happy that I can stand up for the women who are out there suffering from this and let them know it’s okay. They’re not alone. It doesn’t mean they’re weak. It doesn’t mean they’re a bad mom. It doesn’t mean they’re strange. They can get help if they need it, and that’s okay,” she told E! News.
Hayden with her fiance Wladimir Klitschko.
