Dec 18, 2007, 11:30 GMT
Christina Ricci's teenage battle with anorexia stopped her enjoying her fame.
11/07/2007 - Christina Ricci - © Janet Mayer / PR Photos
The 'Black Snake Moan' star felt pressured to conform to the Hollywood ideal of perfection and admits the struggle made her unhappy.
Christina, 27, said: "I was a teenager going through adolescence and at one point I had a little anorexia phase and then I kind of ballooned. I feel my body now is the adult Christina and it's what I should have come to a long time ago if I hadn't been screwing around with my body so much.
"I was too busy thinking about my skin or my weight or the clothes I was wearing instead of just enjoying it and saying, 'I can't believe I get to be here. This is awesome and I'm going to experience it.' "
The actress - who is about to star opposite James McAvoy and Reese Witherspoon in new romantic comedy 'Penelope' - admits she is vain, but she has learned not to obsess about her looks.
She added to US TV show 'Entertainment Tonight': "The more weight you give your criticisms, the more it's going to affect you.
"Vanity is unnecessary. I'm the vainest person around but I have found a way to let that go so I can just have fun. You really have to make a decision in life that you're not going to be crippled by your insecurities."
(C) BANG Media International
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