Kristen Stewart covers Marie Claire: 'I lit my universe on fire and I watched it burn'

American actress Kristen Stewart has opened up about her public image in Marie Claire's latest issue.

The 25-year-old actress shot to fame after playing Bella Swan in the popular Twilight film franchise opposite Robert Pattinson.

The two co-stars started dating and in 2012, Pattinson ended his relationship with Stewart, after it was confirmed that she cheated on him with British director Rupert Sanders.

Stewart and Sanders, who worked together on Snow White And The Huntsman, were photographed kissing in Hollywood Hills.

The 25-year-old Clouds of Sils Maria actress talked about the public scrutiny that came along with her Twilight fame.

"I lit my universe on fire," she said, "and I watched it burn."

"Speaking very candidly, it was a really traumatic period in my early 20s that kick-started something in me that was a bit more... feral."

"I'm really proud that I am able to move forward and not fall into every mental crater. That's a new thing for me. Age has made me smarter and calmer. And it is f***ing awesome," Stewart added.

The Camp X-Ray star also talked on achieving success at a young age.

"Between ages 15 and 20, it was really intense. I was constantly anxious. I was kind of a control freak. If I didn't know how something was going to turn out, I would make myself ill, or just be locked up or inhibited in a way that was really debilitating," she said.

Meanwhile, Pattinson and Stewart, both have moved on in their love lives. The 28-year-old Remember Me actor is dating FKA twigs, while the American Ultra actress is rumoured to be in a lesbian relationship with Alicia Cargile.