Kristen Stewart has opened up about the significance of her relationship with her former Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson and why she decided to come out publicly last year.

The 26 year old star, who recently made her debut as host of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and joked that she was “like, so gay”, officially revealed her relationship with on/off girlfriend Alicia Cargile to Elle last summer. However, Stewart dated 30 year old Pattinson for a few years, splitting in 2013 in acrimonious circumstances.

Kristen StewartKristen Stewart with Robert Pattinson back in 2012

She reflected on her time with Pattinson (now engaged to singer FKA twigs) in a new interview with The Sunday Times, and insisted that she wasn’t “hiding” during that time, deciding to come out eventually because she felt it was “important, and topical”.

“I didn't talk about my first relationships that went public because I wanted things that are mine to be mine,” she said. “I hated it that details of my life were being turned into a commodity and peddled around the world.”

“But considering I had so many eyes on me, I suddenly realized [my private life] affects a greater number of people than just me. It was an opportunity to surrender a bit of what was mine, to make even one other person feel good about themselves.”

More: Kristen Stewart revealed as guest host of ‘Saturday Night Live’ for new series

“If it didn't seem like a relevant topic, like something that needed help, I would have kept my life private forever. But then I can't walk outside holding somebody's hand, as I'm followed everywhere,” she remembered about the huge media attention that her relationship used to generate.

“When I was dating Rob, the public was the enemy - and that is no way to live. It wasn't this grand statement, 'I was so confused! Now I've realized who I am!' I have not been struggling.”

Now that the furore has died down, Stewart feels she can get on with her life and career, exploring her real personality more fully. “I want to push myself. In my life, when I'm emotional about something, I'm an extreme person. Subtlety is not my go-to. I just don't want to fake anything, but the best opportunities for me are whenever I feel a little bit scared.”

More: Kristen Stewart recalls Donald Trump’s obsession with her in 2012