(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Alex Pettyfer says he is "misunderstood".

The British actor has defended his previous statement that Los Angeles is a "s**t hole".

In an interview last month, the disgruntled star slammed Hollywood and called the American state "socially disgusting".

The 21-year-old star has now revealed his comments were initially misunderstood.

"I don't think I was so much misquoted but misunderstood," he explained. "I love New York. I love L.A., too. I love both places."

Alex has also backtracked on reports that he has a crude "Thank You" tattoo above his crotch area. The actor, who broke up with his I Am Number Four co-star Dianna Agron in February, has now revealed he doesn't have the controversial inking as he previously suggested.

"You know everyone thinks it says Thank you," he told E! Online."It says my name, 'Alex.' It's boring. He [the writer of the story] said that, not me."

Alex is starring in upcoming film Magic Mike as a young stripper based on the pre-Hollywood life of Channing Tatum.

Channing, who entered the world of stripping when he was 19-years-old, will appear as his older mentor, Mike, in the upcoming picture.

Alex has revealed his anxiety ahead of filming.

"I'm a little nervous," he confessed. (C) Cover Media