Heroes star admires Meryl Streep

Last updated 14:09 07/07/2009

Reuters

LOOKING UP: Hayden Panettiere is inspired by Meryl Streep.

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Hayden Panettiere is inspired by Meryl Streep.

The Heroes star insists she wants to be best known for her acting ability and not her private life, citing Meryl - who has been nominated for an Academy Award 15 times - as the person she most admires.

Hayden explained: "I love acting. It's something I respect. It's something that makes me want to be respected for what I do. I'm working toward being a respected actress. Meryl Streep is it for me."

The 19-year-old actress revealed she finds being in the spotlight strange as she does not understand why anyone is interested in her life.

She told the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper: "Just because I'm in the spotlight doesn't mean I'm God's gift to the world. I do have cameras in my face all of the time. Fame leaves you no room to mess up even slightly, and things get turned around on you.

"That's why I feel you really do have to live your life conscious that people are watching. There are certain things you just can't do.”

Hayden also revealed she is worried about being typecast, adding she dreams of being allowed to play a villain in a movie.

She said: "You don't play villains unless you're Sharon Stone when you're blond and you look a certain way. I think it would be exciting for me to play the bad guy in a movie. It would be a blast.

"I think it's so much fun to play bad."

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