Granny Naomi Watts

Apr 11, 2007, 8:00 GMT

Naomi Watts - Arrivals - The Grove Theater - Los Angeles, CA © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Naomi Watts' friends call her "Granny".

The pregnant 'King Kong' actress has revealed friends mock her because she leads such a quiet life.

Naomi, who is also terrified of appearing on the red carpet, told You magazine: "Believe me. There's nothing natural about a red-carpet experience. People scream your name at the top of their voices, 100 of them at a time, and it just makes your heart leap out of your chest.

"I don't like being in loud places any more - all my friends call me Granny! My favourite thing is welcoming people in to my home."

Naomi, 38, rarely makes public appearances, leading her movie star boyfriend Liev Schreiber to describe her as a "wallflower".

The Australian star's fondness for a quiet night in is at odds with the character she portrays in new movie 'The Painted Veil', in which she stars alongside Schreiber and Ed Norton.

Naomi plays a spoiled society girl who cheats on her rich husband with Schreiber's married diplomat character.

The actress reveals that the couple's budding relationship off set created steamy sexual chemistry during their scenes together.

She said: "People always think that if you are a couple it won't work on screen, because if two actors know each other too well it takes away some of the mystery that you need for a love scene to be convincing. Maybe it works in 'The Painted Veil' because we were in the early stages of our relationship."

Watts has been with Schreiber for almost two years, and the pair are expecting their first child in August.

(C) BANG Media International