The actress starred in 2009 musical movie Nine, and it had always been her dream to appear in such a film. She loves music and was "obsessed" with dancing as a young girl. Penelope finds it easy to immerse herself in tracks by her favourite artists, and always thinks of the kind of songs her characters would listen to when preparing for roles.

"I am able to throw myself into my imagination," she explained. "I also use music to open up my emotions to play my character as if it were my own life. Music often brings me to tears. I love opera and flamenco."

The 36-year-old trained as a dancer when she was younger, and always thought she would have a career in the industry. Although she eventually moved into acting Penelope`s passion for ballet and more modern moves never left her, and she practices as much as possible.

"On Nine, my feet were aching, but as a former ballet dancer you learn to accept the pain - a form of happiness comes with it, actually," she told Sky magazine. "You feel you`ve overcome your body so your mind is able to take you where you need to go physically. Euphoria comes over you."
sections: Celebrities