America Ferrera: I’m less self-conscious as Ugly Betty than as me

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera has said she is far less self-conscious when she’s in Betty Suarez’s thick glasses, braces and ugly clothes than when she’s been styled by Hollywood’s best in real life.

She told the Mirror recently: “I’m less self-conscious as Betty.”

“When I walk down a red carpet, I never feel more self-conscious than in my own skin. When I get into Betty’s skin, it all goes away.”

“Once the braces go in, Betty comes to life. When I’m Betty, I never have to think about what my shirt is doing or if this is a good angle. There is an enormous amount of freedom as an actor to have all that lifted off your shoulders. Especially for a woman - to not have to think about what you look like, just focus on the character.”

“[In real life] I never liked my legs - God forbid if a picture of me in a bathing suit ever appears in a magazine.”

But that’s not to say she’s intent on becoming a size zero or becoming a cosmetic surgery junkie: “Having a perfect body doesn’t fix all your problems or make you love yourself more. To me, it’s all about being comfortable in your own skin.”