Jessica Alba doesn't understand what being sexy means.

The 'Machete' actress - who has previously been voted the sexiest woman in the world - isn't comfortable being singled out because of her appearance and would rather receive praise for her acting ability.

She said: "This whole sex goddess thing? Half the time I don't even know what that means. It sounds beyond me. Way beyond me.

"I don't put myself out there to get that kind of attention. When I do, it's flattering, but it's not what I set out to do. I just want to be in movies and I really don't see myself like this.

"I don't specially celebrate it but I'm grateful about it. And when I go home I wash it all away. I need to find time to be myself and not to be only a personality part of the business."

As well as not considering herself sexy, Jessica, 29, regards herself as just a "simple" woman from the suburbs.

She said: "I'm really just a simple girl from the suburbs. But, a lot of the time, the magazines don't show that side of me. I'm proud of my heritage."