Hayden Panettiere attended the 2013 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., which is affectionately known as the ‘nerd prom’ for journalists.

The ‘Nashville’ starlet certainly put on her prom-queen best last night.

She attempted to defy gravity in her pale-yellow gown from Katharine Kidd’s Spring 2012 collection. The sideless and strapless effect was accomplished with illusion mesh panels.

But the Swarovski crystal beaded-thread strands and the draped-curtain sides, hanging on to this silk tulle pageant-princess dress, were just begging to be pulled off.

I thought the braided updo trend had run its course, but Hayden brought Heidi back to the dinner.

Bohemian gemstone earrings, an Ashlyn’d clutch and a pert red lip polished off this schizophrenic look that read to costume-y for this event.

Credit: Getty