(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Leighton Meester doesnt get stage fright as she likes to pretend she isnt scared.

The actress-and-singer has become one of the most promising young stars in America following her role in television show Gossip Girl. She also appears as reluctant singer Chiles Stanton in the movie Country Strong.

But she says the fears of her timid character are not that similar to the ones she experiences in real life even though the pressure can be intense.

In this business, youre judged so much and it can make you down on yourself. But Im an actor, so I pretend like Im not scared and I kind of become not scared, she told Total Film magazine.

The 24-year-old lines up alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw in Country Strong, as well as rising actor Garrett Hedlund.

Leighton says her co-stars were all great to work with, revealing Gwyneth was always there to offer her advice, while Tim was a constant source of entertainment.

Gwyneth is so generous, and Tim is such a prankster. Hes very flirty and funny he was always singing and coming up and scaring you, she explained. (C) Cover Media