Evan Rachel Wood lightens up after Marilyn Manson

Evan Rachel Wood is finally seeing the light after ending her dark days with Marilyn Manson.

"I feel a lot better now than I thought I was going to," the actress told OK! recently. 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."

She recently split with the 39-year-old goth rocker. And along with a brighter mood, she's also ditched the Dita Von Teese look-alike black hair and has lightened up to a strawberry blond. Muuuuuch better!

And inspired by her role as a bitter daughter in "The Wrestler," Wood is seeing her own father, Ira, again. They spent Thanksgiving together in North Carolina and hope to hook up 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."

But don't expect her to forgive Manson Man. She's working out her daddy issues with the source, not the imitations.

"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!

Are you happy that she's done with Marilyn? And she's easing up on that harsh, unflattering black hair dye?

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Photos: ERW, after the breakup and before.
WireImage