JENNIFER CONNELLY - CONNELLY CHAMPIONS BEAUTIFUL ACTRESSES

Oscar winner JENNIFER CONNELLY is determined to prove good actresses can be beautiful as well - insisting she doesn't need to tone down her looks to win plaudits and prizes. Connelly, who plays a tomboy character in BLOOD DIAMOND, rubbishes the suggestion Academy Awards tend to be won by actresses who deliberately play unglamorous parts. She says, "I think my character is very natural. She didn't wear make-up. When she's in the wild she's unwashed, so I think it's realistic. "If you think she looked great, fantastic. You know, good-looking women can do great work."