SEAN PENN - ROBIN WRIGHT PENN'S MODELLING SCARS

ROBIN WRIGHT PENN'S MODELLING SCARS

Robin Wright Penn says modelling in her younger days damaged her self esteem because of the constant criticisms.

Robin Wright Penn thinks modelling "f**ked" her up.

The 43-year-old 'Private Lives of Pippa Lee' star hated her experiences of attending casting calls in her late teens and early 20s, and says getting her first acting job in a commercial "saved" her life.

She said: "It was destructive to the self-esteem. It f***ed me up. Big time. I'd hear the most awful things, like, 'Her legs aren't long enough. Her t*ts aren't big enough. Next!' There's no respect for you as a human being. You're a commodity."

While Robin - who has two children with her husband, 'Milk' actor Sean Penn - hated her younger career, one of her biggest highlights was being a member of this year's prestigious Cannes film festival jury to decide which movies would be given awards.

She added: "It was one of the greatest experiences I've had, watching two or three movies every day, then to be at a round table with your fellow artists. It was so mind-altering, so educational. I didn't go to college, but I understand that's the sort of experience you have there."

Robin and Sean have begun the process of divorcing twice, and recently reconciled, with the actor pledging to take a year-long career break to spend more time with his wife, daughter Dylan, 18, and son Hopper, 16, but the actress insists she won't be doing the same.

She exclaimed: "I need a job. I'm actively looking for work."