Backless beauty! Hayden Panettiere cuts a glamorous figure in a ruffled halterneck gown at 2013 Billboard Music Awards

PUBLISHED: 20:21 EST, 19 May 2013 | UPDATED: 08:33 EST, 20 May 2013

Hayden Panettiere is all grown up.

The 23-year-old Nashville star swayed attention her way she hit up the blue carpet at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Hayden, who plays Juliette Barnes ABC's musical drama series, squeezed her slender frame into a form-fitting floor-length backless black gown that had a halterneck and ruffled details.

Glamour girl: Hayden Panetierre went classy in a black halterneck gown at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday

The former Heroes actress - who has crossed over to country music - is taking to the stage during the show to present an award.

If she meant to make an impression she was successful.

Every now and then Hayden flashed glimpses of her leg and black stiletto heels via a sexy slit in the back of her dress.

Hayden wore her long blonde hair swept back from her face and loosely curled.

She pinned it to the side and added a scattering of diamantes fixed into her tresses.

Ruffled detail: The Nashville star's gown featured ruffled festoons from neck to waist

Natural beauty: The 23-year-old star went neutral with the make-up but added green eyeshadow for a sparkling special effect

She accentuated her fresh-faced beauty with natural-toned make-up and just a light touch of rosy lipstick.

The former Heroes star carried a gold tubular handbag that matched the gold bangles on her wrist.

‘After Heroes I knew it was going to be an uphill battle for me to be seen as anything other than the all-American cheerleader,’ she told The Telegraph.

Bare essentials: Hayden's gown allowed a nice view of her fair and tattooed back

Curvy: The sleek frock flattered Hayden's petite five-foot-one frame

Her portrayal of the ruthless and ambitious Juliette on Nashville has earned her scores of praise.

The show follows Juliette as she tries to usurp a fortysomething country music superstar whose success is on the downslide.

The series is shot on location in the Tennessee city, where Panettiere has happily relocated from Los Angeles.

‘There’s a real feeling of community and Southern hospitality,’ Hayden said. ‘It feels much more genuine than LA and I have never had an easier time making friends.’

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Wow, she looks fabulous. That dress... she looks like she's 6 foot tall! Love her hair and her smile! She's also great in Nashville.

- Maria , London, United Kingdom, 20/5/2013 13:37

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Wow, she looks fabulous. That dress... she looks like she's 6 foot tall! Love her hair and her smile! She's also great in Nashville.

- Maria , London, United Kingdom, 20/5/2013 13:17

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Finally, she's starting to dress in what looks good on her.

- JustSayin , US, 20/5/2013 10:55

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She's, like, what, four-feet-eleven with four inch heels, tops?

- spike , Los Angeles, 20/5/2013 10:27

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She's always seemed to be very snotty and full of herself. Her "ruthless and ambitious" Nashville character seems more of a natural fit than good acting.

- Robert Winchester , Dallas, United States, 20/5/2013 10:08

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She looks beautiful because she is in love. You can tell when a woman is in love by the sparkle in her eyes and the glow in her skin. Men hold the power over whether a woman will look beautiful or not. Sorry feminist, but a dog just won't do.

- RatFace , Looseconsin, 20/5/2013 08:44

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i dont like the tattoo..............

- Theunpopularopinion , Newyork, United States, 20/5/2013 05:19

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Super

- david baggett , San Antonio, 20/5/2013 05:11

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Love this girl. So much energy and happiness....

- Shaddyshoe , Washington DC, United States, 20/5/2013 04:43

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She's too beautiful. Like it's not even fair