Fame is a freak show - Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron says being famous is a 'freak show'.

The 'Snow White' actress insists the attention stars now receive from the paparazzi and the public is beyond anything she ever imagined and she says celebrities seem to be fair game where ever they are.

In an interview with Britain's HELLO! magazine, she said: 'It's (fame) become a freak show. It drives me insane. There are certain places that you just can't go. I'm OK with that, but it's the things you can't avoid like when you're going home. That's not even sacred any more.'

Despite the circus that surrounds Hollywood, Charlize - who was born in South Africa - tries to retain some sense of perspective on her career and life.

She added: 'You can't take this industry too seriously. We want to believe we're curing cancer, but we really aren't.'

The attention that Charlize receives is seemingly only going to increase now she has adopted a baby boy called Jackson.

The 36-year-old screen beauty announced she had become a mother earlier this month and she is adjusting well to parenthood so far.

She said: 'It has been overwhelmingly incredible. Every day there is something new. I think that by the journey I decided to go on, it's evident that I really wanted to be a mom, so I'm just overjoyed and very happy that it worked out ... He's doing great.'