Katherine Heigl says she could never have been "America's Sweetheart".

The world was charmed by the actress's performance in the 2007 film Knocked Up.

However, she shocked fans by stating in an interview that she struggled with the role and found the script "a little sexist".

She was later let go by her publicist and has been fighting to explain her comments ever since.

"I've never really been America's sweetheart, but for a minute I think that's what they wanted me to be. And I had em for a second thinking maybe I was. And then I opened my mouth and it was clear I wasn't," she laughed in a new interview with Elle magazine.

"There's so much of my mother's caustic, sarcastic, irreverent take on things. But I also love and embrace it."

The star doesn't regret what she said.

But in hindsight she confessed it probably wasn't a good idea to be so vocal.

"I look at some of what I had to say, and I'm like, Oh my God, I would tell myself to shut up too.'"

The 33-year-old admitted that she wants the public to like her again.

She said she will continue to try and redeem herself and hopes people will eventually see the real Katherine.

"I think it's a female thing. I'm just that a**hole who really wants everyone to like me and it's a ridiculous goal and it's an impossible goal," she sighed. "But I think if keep pushing forward and showing myself through and through, they will see me again for what I really am and not what has been sort of spun about me."