She'd already carved out a very impressive career for one so young. Indeed, she doesn't turn 19 until August but has already crammed in regular TV spots, voice work for Disney movies (she was Dot in A Bug's Life), an appearance opposite Denzel Washington, a recurring role on Ally McBeal...
Then along came Heroes, and a cheerleading costume, and the lad mags sat up, wiped the drool from their chins and took notice.
Imagine for a second you're Hayden. Do you: a) ignore the phwoaring and focus on what was a fine, growing career; or b) play into their hands?
While the second series of Heroes had a bit of a backlash, it still doesn't explain why Hayden's so desperate for attention that she's recently been spouting all the classic soundbites you'd expect from a starlet.
Last year, Angelina Jolie was an inspiration to young Hayden: "She was definitely somebody I looked up to," she told People. By the end of the year though, Hayden was padding out the column inches by explaining that while she's not gay, she'd certainly get it on with... Angelina Jolie.
"And there are other beautiful girls I like too - Charlize Theron, oh my God! Kate Beckinsale is gorgeous too, and Jessica Alba," she kindly told GQ.
More recently, Hayden's been wearing her serious, caring hat and has been auctioning belongings – and time with her – to raise funds for SaveTheWhalesAgain.com.
"My mission is to end whaling worldwide," she declared, although quite how you do this between episodes of Heroes remains to be seen.
The question then is what's next? We've had gushing, we've had gay lust, we've had caring... Here's how we reckon it'll pan out.
Having been spotted sipping a shandy at a LA party, rumours circulate that Hayden is a lush. She admits that she has a problem – sometimes consuming as much as one whole beer a week – and checks herself into rehab.
After checking herself out early, she's spotted wandering the streets by the paparazzi who chase her into a nearby beauty salon. Aware that Britney has already done the domehead plea for help, Hayden instead opts for a self-administered bubble perm and lowlights and a very poor manicure before her parents arrive and whisk her into rehab. Again.
Three months later, Hayden reappears, and no longer looks like Kevin Keegan. She announces she's engaged to an Antipodean rocker with a sex addiction. The couple met in group therapy when they reached for the same muffin, and the rest is history. All two weeks of it.
Strangely, this doesn't work out and they split. Hayden releases a self help book – Save The Cheerleader, Save Yourself – and appears on Oprah. This is where she reveals that, while acting is her first love, what she really wants to do is sing. Unfortunately, the debut album – of show tunes, Robbie Williams covers and famous cheerleading chants – fails to sell and Hayden announces her retirement.
Three months later, she appears in Playboy and secures her 'comeback' role in Quentin Tarantino's next project.
The following year, Hayden celebrates her 21st birthday.
