Hollywood star Jessica Alba, who began her acting career in her teenage, said she felt objectified as a young actress.

Alba was given the lead role on Fox`s 'Dark Angel' where she was forced to wear raunchy outfits in order to appeal to the show`s predominantly male audience, reported Us magazine.

'I had a show that premiered when I was 19. And right away, everyone formed a strong opinion about me because of the way I was marketed. I was supposed to be sexy, this tough action girl. That`s what people expected,' said Alba.

Even when she dressed demurely for red carpet events, Alba`s body took center stage. 'I felt like I was being objectified, and it made me uncomfortable. I wanted to be chic and elegant!'

The 31-year-old actress - mother to daughters Honor, 4, and Haven, 9 months, with husband Cash Warren, 33 - admitted her transition from sex symbol to style icon didn`t happen overnight.

'Now that I`m older, I`ve learned how to own it, but I`m still not very overt. There are some women who dress for men. I dress for myself. It took me some time to get here. Being a mom and feeling grown-up have helped. Now if I`m going to wear something short, it has to have a high neck or a little sci-fi toughness to it, an edge.'

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