Lindsay Lohan always wanted to live her life in the spotlight - after envying her idol Britney Spears' rise to fame.

The actress first dabbled with stardom as a 12 year old, appearing in Disney movie The Parent Trap before her turn in 2004 film Mean Girls made her a media favorite.

Lohan became a regular on the party circuit in Los Angeles, but spiraled out of control just a few years later. She was arrested twice in 2007 on drunk driving charges and has spent time in rehab in a bid to combat her troubles.

However, the star admits she always knew the pitfalls of fame - because she watched the Toxic hit-maker's meteoric rise as a youngster.

She tells Access Hollywood, "Everyone goes through tough times. I think I've always kind of aspired to be like Britney Spears in the tabloids when I was in middle school. It's kind of something you sign up for in the beginning and if you really want it, you know that comes with it."

Lohan admits the scrutiny she has faced during her decade in the limelight has had its problems - but she is determined not to give the press a chance to criticize her in the future.

She adds, "There are times when it does affect me. When I'm having a bad day or dealing with something personal that is no one else's business they're going to spin it anyway. If I make the wrong face and I'm having a really great day, they're going to say something negative anyway. I know that I'm a target and I know that I've given people a lot of reason to kind of run with things that have been said. I no longer intend on doing that, but I'm not perfect."

Nevertheless, despite her troubles, the 23 year old is adamant she wouldn't change her past - because it has shaped the person she has become.

Lohan says, "There are things I would like to take back and I always say that, but there aren't many things that I regret doing, because I wouldn't have learned from them, and I wouldn't be where I am today. I think it's taken me a long time to learn how to love myself before I could love someone else too. Whether it be a best friend or family or someone that I'm in a relationship with."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)