PENELOPE CRUZ - CRUZ THREATENS HOLLYWOOD VILLAINS

Movie beauty PENELOPE CRUZ has issued a warning to criminals targeting Hollywood stars - she's a deadly street fighter.

The VANILLA SKY actress struggled to adapt to the fast-paced lifestyle when she first moved to Los Angeles from her native Spain, but she always felt safe in the knowledge she possessed the skills and power to stave off any real-life villains.

Cruz credits the training she underwent to become an action movie star with turning her into a master of self-defence.

She says, "They taught us a lot of kicking and boxing. I don't really like fighting. It's just nice to know I could if I had to."