Octavia Spencer is happy there are roles for ''sexy'' and ''chubby'' actresses in Hollywood.

The 44-year-old 'Get On Up' actress claims that her role as Aunt Honey in the James Brown biopic proves there is a place for plus-sized women in the film industry.

Recalling a conversation she had with the film's director Tate Taylor, she said: ''He suggested I play Honey, saying that she was kinda sexy with an edge. I told him: 'You had me at sexy!'

''It also felt good to know that there's still a few interesting roles out there for a chubby, hot [actress].''

Octavia - who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Minny in the 2011 film 'The Help' - also revealed that she has found it easier to find work since turning 40.

She told The Independent newspaper: ''It took me 15 years to become an overnight success. I think for a lot of character actors, a lot of us hit our stride when we turn 40 and, if you're an ingenue, well there's only a small window when you can [be an] ingenue, after that you can't fake it. The shelf life of a character actor is much longer and you do have the ability to be a late bloomer.''