Amanda Seyfried has revealed she experienced tension with some older actresses early in her career

Seyfried, 40, called the experience both "disappointing" and "hurtful", adding that the behaviour felt especially confusing at the time because she was still finding her footing in the industry.

She said: "I was so young. I'm not a threat, so what could it be? And not often, but enough, and I never want to be that for somebody. I think we're better together."

The actress went on to say she now makes a conscious effort to support younger performers, describing herself as "an open book" who is always willing to offer guidance.

She continued: "I'm the first person who will be in someone's corner, especially if they're like, 'What do I do?' And I love that."

That includes her The Housemaid co-star Sydney Sweeney, 28, who she feels "protective" of.

She told: "I feel very protective of Sydney because I'm at a point in my life where I've just turned 40, which is crazy to me, but also I have the knowledge and the experience of a 40-year-old who's been in this industry for 25 years. I'm very, very confident that if she were to come to me that I would have a good answer, and I know that she trusts me. The second I met her, I was like, 'I'll do anything for you.'"

Seyfried also spoke about how her career opportunities have evolved, noting that while she still has to fight for certain roles, she's in a far stronger position than she was a decade ago.

She said: "As long as the opportunities are there.

"Sometimes I have to work hard at getting them, but sometimes it's like all the good ones get given away, and you just have to find these things. And sometimes they just get given to you. You never know. But I do have more opportunities than I used to have, and damn straight, it makes me happy."