(Cover) - EN Movies - Shia LaBeouf has praised the way new Transformers star Rosie Huntington-Whitely "owns her sexuality".

The actor admires that the Victoria's Secret model isn't uncomfortable showing off her sexy looks and completely understood that this was required of her as a female lead.

Hinting at difficulties between director Michael Bay and former co-star Megan Fox, the 25-year-old said that the brunette beauty found the attention she received as a result of the Transformers franchise "overwhelming".

"She completely owns her sexuality, which I think helps especially on a movie like this where there are certain requirements of a woman in a summer movie," LaBeouf told MTV News. "She owns her sexuality and she doesn't shy from it. I think it was a harder gap to cross, in terms of Megan going from complete obscurity to being the sexiest woman in the world in a movie. [It] is a greater leap and transition than to go from being a Victoria's Secret model to then being the hottest actress in the world. She was able to be strong in her femininity as opposed to trying to shy away from it."

Rosie, who will star in the latest Transformers instalment, Dark of the Moon, as Shia's love interest Carly, also impressed co-star Tyrese Gibson with her professionalism.

The actor praised her focus and said that the model's performance will surprise the audience. (C) Cover Media