Cameron Diaz's living hell

May 11, 2007, 11:00 GMT

05/07/2007 - Cameron Diaz - © Janet Mayer / Photorazzi

Cameron Diaz says the last couple of years have been "hell".

The actress, who dated Justin Timberlake for three years before they split last December, reveals she has struggled to cope with her life at times.

Cameron told website movies.com: "The last couple of years were hell. I can't even tell you, it was so hard. I didn't know how to handle it. But I think I'm in a much better place now, because I stepped away for a second and took a breath.

"Hollywood is a funny place. It offers so much, but it can also take a lot away from you."

The beautiful blonde is also tired of people thinking she is successful because of her looks, not her acting ability.

Cameron moaned: "If a woman who is a successful actress weighs 300 pounds and has warts, nobody ever asks her, 'Do you think you made it because you're ugly?' So why should there be prejudice against someone who's had some success in films and looks a little better than average. It's all in my genes, so don't hold it against me."

Cameron, who voices an animated character for new movie 'Shrek the Third', wants the next instalment to be more environmentally friendly.

She explained: "For the next Shrek, I'd like to create the ideal kingdom of Far Far Away, where there would be no carbon emissions - work an eco-friendly message into the story. Maybe the swamp could be in danger from an environmental disaster or something."

(C) BANG Media International