Kristen Stewart has opened up about growing up in the public eye and coping with the intense scrutiny during the "Twilight" era. The actress, who rose to fame playing Bella Swan in the "Twilight" saga, has often been criticized for various reasons, more so after her much-publicized alleged affair with "Snow White and the Huntsman" director Rupert Sanders that ended her relationship with former co-star Robert Pattinson. 

In an interview with Marie Claire magazine for its August issue, the actress said that she finally decided to embrace the "rebel labels" that have been thrown her way and live her life like she wants to. 

"I lit my universe on fire, and I watched it burn," she told the magazine.

The star said that she was able to find her inner peace despite a few "feral" years in her 20s when she was all-consumed by the public eye. 

"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," the "Clouds of Sils Maria" star told the magazine. 

Stewart said that she has reached peace with her public image and is really proud that she was able to move forward and "not fall into every mental crater." She added that age has also made her "smarter and calmer." 

For her fans, one of the most surprising things that she did was when she cut off her long, flowing locks. The star said that her hair was "a crutch" and she used to hide behind it all the time. But since cutting off her hair, she said that she became more confident and it felt good.

"Maybe to most people long hair is prettier," she mused. "But then what? Is your main goal in life to be desired? That is boring."  

As for apologizing for the things she did or said, the star said that she's been doing less of that right now and she's more about letting go. 

Stewart is set to appear in two films this year, the futuristic love story "Equals" with Nicholas Hoult, and the action comedy "American Ultra" with Jesse Eisenberg.