Christina Hendricks cried when she realised she was pretty.

The striking redhead entered into a modelling contest at the age of 19 and though she didn't win the competition, she was sitting with her mother Jackie when the pictures came through the post and was so shocked by her appearance that she sobbed with happiness.

Christina said: ''When I got the pictures back, my mum and I started crying, because I had no idea I could be pretty. It changed my perspective of myself.''

The 'Mad Men' beauty grew up in a small town in Idaho in the US called Twin Falls and had a happy childhood but admitted she had no expectations of beauty because she was sheltered from fashion and television

She told Psychologies magazine: ''It was the happiest time of my life. My mum encouraged my brother (Aaron) and me to get involved in the community theatre group so we could make our own fun.

''My mum was never focused on appearance, but rather encouraged us to get creative. She would help me make my own clothes as there weren't many places to shop. We didn't watch TV. It was a very healthy way to grow up as I wasn't comparing myself to anyone.''