But being a star has its perks, even though she has a hectic work schedule. Does she get free designer stuff? “It’s been a lot easier, but of course, no one in this business really owns anything themselves,” explains Hayden. “Most of [my] clothes are either loaners, or they’re given to [me]. But, yeah, it’s always fun. I’m a girl and I like getting clothes. I don’t usually get to keep any of them, like my Golden Globes dress, but its fun. You don’t really want to keep gowns that are $40,000 either. That’s too much.”

Left: Hayden and Heroes co-star Greg Grunberg at the NAPTE Convention Party. Right: Hayden and Heroes costars Ali Larter and Tawny Cypress at the Peoples Choice Awards.

If Hayden could have any superpower, what would it be? “I would say teleportation. It would be very convenient for what I do,” she says.

Hayden as Claire Bennet in Heroes

Hayden’s main time-consuming project has been the show “Heroes”. She plays Claire, a cheerleader with supernatural abilities. “This show does an incredible job of giving everyone their time in the spotlight,” said Hayden. “My character is definitely running down that road of trying to discover who she is, where she comes from, who here parents are, if she’s alone. There are a couple big, big turns coming up.” And Hayden is just as excited as you are to see what’s going to happen to her character next. “We went to Las Vegas on a little jet, and we were sitting in the airport. One of our producers, Dennis Hammer, had 118, which we haven’t read yet; it was the next script. And, I kept trying to get it from him, and he was relentless. He would not give it to me. As soon as he turned around, me, Sendhil and Masi said, “Hey, take the script!” I took it and I hid it, but of course, I didn’t read it because I felt too bad,” Hayden admits.

"Heroes" has become a major hit, even receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama series against industry heavyweights such as "Lost", "24" and "Grey's Anatomy". The show won Favorite New TV Drama at the People's Choice Awards and Hayden has been nominated for Best Performance in a TV series (Comedy or Drama) - Supporting Young Actress at the Young Artist Awards against such young stars as Mackenzie Rosman, Emily Osment and Miranda Cosgrove.

Hayden at the NAPTE Convention

“Heroes” fans are lucky that Hayden was open to doing a television show. “For a long time, I just wanted to do film,” says Hayden. “It’s tough, putting yourself in the position of doing a TV series, especially when it’s an ensemble cast like this. There’s the potential of being on it for six years, and missing out on movies because you’re not available anymore. But, I thought it was a time in my life to do it. I didn’t want to wait until I got too old to do it.”

Hayden was even surprised when “Save the Cheerleader” became a catch phrase. “I was surprised. I was completely taken aback. I had no idea. It was flattering, it was very cool, it was a catch phrase and it involved a lot of people,” says Hayden.

Hayden at the Golden Globes

While we’re on the topic of “Heroes,” what is Hayden’s definition of a hero? “My dad was a lieutenant in the fire department in New York City. He actually retired six months before 9/11 happened. He was on the department for 20 or 21 years. That’s a hero -- normal people who save the world, and save people, every day,” she says.

Hayden doesn’t even remember when she became so famous. Sure, she started in the entertainment industry when she was eight months old, but when was the breakthrough for this young star? “It’s interesting. It’s fun. It’s a new thing,” says Hayden on her newly famous status. “You know things are happening when you walk out of your apartment and there are two cars full of paparazzi who actually followed me home. It was sort of a scary feeling. I was by myself, I had a handful of things, and I said to one of them, ‘Oh, my God, you just scared me to death,’ and he was like, ‘I’m sorry.’ And, I turned to get in my car, and there was another person down the street who actually followed me all the way to work, and started running red lights. I was calling my parents, going, ‘Oh, my God! I don’t know what to do!’ I didn’t know whether to be completely flattered, which I was, or kind of nervous about it.”

Hayden still doesn’t even have a bodyguard! “I think it was Muhammad Ali who used to say that, when you have bodyguards, it’s almost like people want to get to you more, they fight harder, and it becomes really dangerous. If you give yourself to the public, it’s almost like they become your protection. I don’t think bodyguards are very necessary. It’s not like I go wandering down dark alleys at night, by myself. I usually have friends with me, and people are usually very courteous. Hopefully, no one really thinks I’m invincible and tries to do something rash,” Hayden explains.

Most celebrities do charity work, and Hayden is no exception. How did she get involved in the wildlife charity, World Conservation? “I lived in South Africa for a while and I met a man who allowed me to become ambassador for the IUCN,” explains Hayden. “I also do a thing called the Whale Band that protects whales from

Hayden at the 75th Hollywood Xmas Parade

experiments and the dolphins and the marine life. There's a lot of stuff going on with that that people have no idea about.”

Does Hayden have any advice for girls who look up to her? “Beauty is what lies within,” she advises. “It’s in your mind and it’s in your heart. Beauty’s an opinion, not a fact, which I think is a really good thing to keep in mind, always. They can do whatever they want to do, as long as they put everything into it and they find their power within.”

And finally, the question you all want to know the answer to: Does Hayden finally get out of her cheerleading outfit? “Sometimes, if I’m lucky,” she says with a laugh.