'Betty' star is proud to be a role model

America Ferrera has revealed that she is touched by the reaction to her role on Ugly Betty.

The actress confirmed that her unglamorous character Betty Suarez has helped many young girls to feel more confident about their appearance.

"I did a magazine cover and the editor sent me some of the letters they received," Ferrera explained. "One of the girls wrote, 'I never felt beautiful until I saw Ugly Betty and now I can call myself beautiful'. When you hear something like that, it makes it worth it.

"I feel so proud to be a good influence and a role model, but it's hard to see yourself the way other people do. I just think, 'Am I really that influential?' I'd better start finding out what I can do with all this influence I'm supposed to have."

Ferrera also admitted that one of the main benefits of the ABC comedy is that it makes it easier for her to look good in real life.

"I'm very lucky in that respect - the expectations are really low for me because I play Ugly Betty," she said. "I can just walk out in jeans and a T-shirt and people are like, 'Man, you look good!'"