Charlize Theron - Pinto Credits Theron's Monster With Sparking Acting Dream

The stunning South African star transformed herself into prostitute-turned-serial killer Aileen Wuornos for the 2003 film, which won her a raft of awards, including the Best Actress trophy at the Academy Awards.

And Slumdog Millionaire beauty Pinto credits Theron's performance with pushing her to chase her acting dreams.

She tells Parade, "In terms of wanting to do acting professionally, I think back to Charlize Theron when she did Monster. I was like, 'Wow'.

"Someone as gorgeous as that to go into a direction completely opposite and transform herself into something - as the film says, monster - and to have heart in it, I think it was fantastic and a brilliant job done."