'It's one of these twisted things that's become the norm': Ugly Betty star Ashley Jensen, 48, says the UK is worse than Hollywood for placing beauty pressures on women

By MailOnline Reporter

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Ugly Betty star Ashley Jensen has said there is more pressure to look young and glamorous in the UK than she ever felt in Hollywood.

The Scottish actress, 48, who moved to Los Angeles for her role in the comedy, said she did not change herself at all when she lived in Hollywood.

She told the Radio Times: 'I was too old to bow to any pressure - and I refused to.

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Being frank: Ugly Betty star Ashley Jensen, 48, has said there is more pressure to look young and glamorous in the UK than she ever felt in Hollywood

Being frank: Ugly Betty star Ashley Jensen, 48, has said there is more pressure to look young and glamorous in the UK than she ever felt in Hollywood

'I went there the same way as I came back. I think there's more pressure over here now than I ever felt over there. 

'It's one of these twisted things that's become the norm, which is that women are not allowed to grow old.

'It's becoming more normal to see a face that looks like a cross between a hard-boiled egg and a cat.'

Hard truths: The Scottish actress, 48, who moved to Los Angeles for her role in the comedy, said she did not change herself at all when she lived in Hollywood

Hard truths: The Scottish actress, 48, who moved to Los Angeles for her role in the comedy, said she did not change herself at all when she lived in Hollywood

The star, who will next be seen in drama Love, Lies and Records, moved to Los Angeles in 2006 for the hit series starring America Ferrera, after a break-out role in Extras as Maggie Jacobs.

She said: 'I went there slightly older than most people do and it was almost like getting pregnant by accident, like 'Oh God, my head's not quite ready for this'.

'It was so different there, I did feel like a grubby interloper sometimes.

How it all began: The star, who will next be seen in drama Love, Lies and Records, moved to Los Angeles in 2006 for the hit series starring America Ferrera, after a break-out role in Extras as Maggie Jacobs

How it all began: The star, who will next be seen in drama Love, Lies and Records, moved to Los Angeles in 2006 for the hit series starring America Ferrera, after a break-out role in Extras as Maggie Jacobs

'I'd watch myself in Ugly Betty and go, 'What am I doing in that? How did that happen?'.

'Everything escalated quickly after doing Extras with Ricky Gervais. It was never part of my game plan to go to America.' 

Ashley won two BAFTAS for her work on Extras, including the award for best comedy newcomer.  

Finding fame: Ashley won two BAFTAS for her work on Extras, including the award for best comedy newcomer

Finding fame: Ashley won two BAFTAS for her work on Extras, including the award for best comedy newcomer

Read all about it: The full interview is available in the current issue of the Radio Times

Read all about it: The full interview is available in the current issue of the Radio Times

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