CHARLIZE THERON - MODEST ACTRESS CHARLIZE THERON

MODEST ACTRESS CHARLIZE THERON

Charlize Theron has spoken about her decision to appear nude on the big screen, saying people's perception that she ''loves walking around naked'' is wrong.

Charlize Theron is not "an exhibitionist".

The 'Burning Plain' actress - who appears naked in the first scene of the movie, and has also stripped off in 'Monster' and 'The Devil's Advocate' - insists she only flashes flesh on film if it is integral to the storyline.

She explained: "I'm not some exhibitionist. I think people think I just love walking around naked.

"When you start making it about yourself, you stand in the way of doing your job. I have to sit in an editing room with the director and a bunch of execs, and if I had to sit there and think about myself and these men watching me, I think that would make me insecure. I'm just like every other girl out there. I would cringe."

The 34-year-old actress added making 'The Burning Plain' - in which she stars as Sylvia, a woman who found out her mother was having an affair when she was a teenager - made her think about her own upbringing.

Charlize's parents had a turbulent relationship, culminating in her father being shot dead by her mother after he attacked her when Charlize was 15.

She told the USA Today newspaper: "I looked at my parents and I was so judgmental, and you don't understand the struggles of what it is to be in a marriage and be committed and raise children and to be part of a family.

"Their marriage wasn't great. As a child, you see things very differently, and then I got older and I went, 'Wow, that's amazing.' You start going out with a couple of boys, and some of them aren't so nice. There's a lot more that plays into this whole relationship thing than you think."