Cara Delevingne has compared herself to Charlize Theron.

The 22-year-old supermodel-turned-actress defended her acting abilities and compared herself to Charlize Theron, who also began life as a model before launching a screen career and went on to win an Oscar.

'Paper Towns' actress Cara told Channel Ten's 'The Project': ''You know Charlize Theron, there are so many amazing actresses who have been models. And like her in that movie 'Monster', those are the kind of roles I want to play.''

She added on the Australian TV show: ''There's always going to be people who don't want you to succeed or doubt you, but again, I didn't really care, because I know how hard I can work and I knew I'd give it my all. So as long as I do good work, I know that's all that matters.''

Cara also revealed that swapping the catwalk for the big screen made her feel like she had been ''born again''.

''It's just a whole different thing. I literally feel like it's a different part of my life now. I feel like I've kind of been born again,'' she said. ''I know that sounds really weird but honestly, acting, I've wanted to do it so badly.

''As soon as I got the opportunity I was like, I'm here, take me, I'll do anything.''