Hayden Panettiere says that her new musical drama, Nashville, gives her the opportunity to play a total diva.

The 22-year-old actress stars in the upcoming show that pits a veteran country star against an up and coming starlet.

She told People magazine that this role is allowing her to stretch her skills as an actress.

"My character, Juliette Barnes, is very edgy," the former Heroes star said. "She comes off very diva-ish and bratty and snotty sometimes."

"It is real, whole-hearted, gritty, raw, talented Nashville."

"I recorded an album when I was younger, from about 15 to 19, and in that period of time, I just was so ever-changing, as a person," she told Collider.

"I quit after about four or five years of recording and said, 'This is not me.' But I also said that, if I was ever going to do music again, I would do country music. So, for this to come along it's a dream come true, really. I don't mean that in a clich way." (C) Cover Media