Cameron Diaz empowered by stripping off

Cameron Diaz finds racy photo shoots "empowering".

Related photos: Cameron Diaz, Colin Firth attend 'Gambit' premiere

The 40-year-old actress is comfortable in her skin and gets a buzz from stripping down to her underwear when she is modelling.

She told The Sunday Times newspaper: "It's empowering. I'm not some young girl with the photographer going, 'Will you take your clothes off?' I'm like [mimes stripping], 'How does this look?'

"They're like, 'Today we're not going to put anything other than bras and heels on you,' and I'm like, 'These heels are not high enough.'

"I'm a woman, I know how to handle myself. I know what I feel comfortable doing and I know my sexuality."

The 'Gambit' star also thinks its "healthy" for women to want to be objectified.

She added: "I think every woman does want to be objectified. There's a little part of you at all times that hopes to be somewhat objectified, and I think its healthy."

Cameron also laments the scrutiny put on the young stars of today, as its harder for them to grow up and make the mistakes young people do without being criticised.

Reflecting on her own career, she added: "I wouldn't have survived it. Nobody in their twenties can. That's when you do all your stupid s**t. You're supposed to be an idiot. You're supposed to get drunk, or go out with a guy who's terrible for you."