'I felt like I was being objectified': Jessica Alba reveals why she rejected her sex kitten status in favour of wholesome elegance

She was the Angelina Jolie of a younger generation.
But Jessica Alba rejected her sex kitten status as it made her feel 'objectified'.
The mother-of-two claims she was portrayed as a 'tough action girl' during her reign on the Fox network in Dark Angel, but it left her empty and striving to be 'chic and elegant' instead.

Who's the fairest of them all? Jessica Alba strikes a pose by a grand fireplace and large mirror for Marie Claire

 

Speaking to Marie Claire about her former vampy image, the 31-year-old said: 'I had a show [Fox’s Dark Angel] that premiered when I was 19.

Cover girl: Jessica features in the June issue

'And right away, everyone formed a strong opinion about me because of the way I was marketed.'
Jessica stressed that she struggled to meet expectations and it made her 'uncomfortable'.
She continued: 'I was supposed to be sexy, this tough action girl. That’s what people expected...
'I felt like I was being objectified, and it made me uncomfortable. I wanted to be chic and elegant!'
Jessica, who played leading lady Max Guevara for two years, earned herself a Golden Globe nomination in 2000 for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama.
Unfortunately she lost out to Sela Ward's efforts as Lily Manning in ABC drama Once And Again.
There is no denying the Sin City beauty alludes natural beauty and sex appeal, but she has toned down her image since marrying Cash Warren and becoming a mother.
The couple, who wed in 2008, have two girls, three-year-old Honor and Haven, eight-months.
Jessica also revealed that she has grown more confident of herself in recent years, adding: '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.

Starting out: Jessica says she felt 'objectified' when she starred in Dark Angel at just 19

'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.'
Obviously being human, Jessica is not averse to attention, saying she enjoys the positive aspect of it.
She added: 'I like to get positive attention. But if I have a choice between someone noticing in a negative way what I’m wearing and going, "What was she thinking?" or someone not noticing what I’m wearing, I would rather not make a statement at all and just have a good conversation instead.'

Family outing: Jessica and Cash Warren take Honor and Haven to the Bel-Air Hotel for Mother's Day outing