Evan Rachel Wood on Being Single

Evan Rachel Wood is definitely holding her head high after her breakup with Marilyn Manson.

The pair began dating in December 2006 – and even got matching black heart tattoos. Their breakup was announced last month.

“It happens,” the 21-year-old actress said at the Gotham Independent Film Awards held in NYC Tuesday. “I feel a lot better now than I thought I was going to. It was hard at first, but I’ve kept my chin up and it’s just fun now. I only have to answer to myself, and it’s great.”

With her 39-year-old beau out of her life, she’s reconnected with the original man in her life – her father, Ira. Inspired by her role as a bitter daughter in The Wrestler, Evan re-established a relationship with her dad. They spent Thanksgiving together in North Carolina (“I was really bad – I was dipping pickles in whipped cream!”) and plan to see each other for Christmas.

“I was separated from my dad for most of my life, but we forgave each other for whatever had happened,” she tells OK! “It’s huge for me. He’s been the most supportive dad. No matter what has happened, he’s always been there. And especially right now – he’s been so great. He really helped me out. Making The Wrestler was like getting paid to go to therapy.”

Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily apply to ex-boyfriends, though.

“There have been people I’ve been extremely close to that I’ve had to cut off because I was getting hurt over and over again, and no matter how much I loved them, I couldn’t deal with it,” she tells OK!.

By Valerie Nome