Blake Lively finds it difficult when people try to make "a scandalous story" out of her "safe" life.

The Gossip Girl actress has had a string of high profile romances, including Penn Badgley and Leonardo DiCaprio. Blake is currently dating Ryan Reynolds, but prefers to shun the limelight in favour of a quiet life.

"I am a private person, and it's hard when people try to make a story out of your life," she sighed in an interview with Style magazine. "And in order to be a story, it has to be really exciting there has to be scandal and that is really upsetting because my life is normal and safe. I like to cook food, I like to eat food, I like to walk my dog."

Blake realises how fickle Hollywood can be. The 24-year-old star remains grounded by surrounding herself with friends and family who are always truthful with her.

"The same people who love you to death one day will hate you to death the next, so who do you give the keys to your self-worth to? You have to have those keys for yourself. And you have to surround yourself with people who are honest with you. I need honesty," she revealed. "I need good friends who can say, I love you to death, but you look terrible in that and you need to change right now.'"