'I didn't want to do this movie': Reese Witherspoon opens up about her struggle at portraying gritty character in Wild

Published: 14:08 EST, 3 December 2014 | Updated: 01:57 EST, 4 December 2014

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In the January issue of Glamour Reese Witherspoon shoots down the notion that she's America's sweetheart.

And in Wednesday's interview with Good Morning America, the 38-year-old star confirms that assertion, discussing how she prepared for her grittiest role yet, as Cheryl in Wild.

From sex scenes and drug use to performing the role free of makeup, Reese admitted: 'Well, I was scared a lot,' in the telling talk show interview.

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Cleans up well: Reese Witherspoon looked lovely in a black and blue striped dress and black heels on her Wednesday Good Morning America appearance in New York

Beautiful in blue: Reese's striped dress complimented her light eyes for her Wednesday Good Morning America appearance

Reese sported a fitted black and blue striped dress that showed off her slender figure, along with a pair of black heels.

Her blonde locks were styled in loose curls that hung down past her shoulders, and she wore a shimmery pink lipstick.

Upon exiting the show, the blonde beauty covered up with a long black jacket and hid her eyes behind a pair of black sunglasses.

Reese Witherspoon on playing gritty character in Wild

Bundled up: Reese covered up in a knee-length black jacket and hid her eyes behind a pair of black shades as she exited the show

Inspiration: In the film, Reese portrays the real-life story of Cheryl Strayed, 46, pictured at right

The actress admitted on the morning talk show that she struggled at times to be committed to the role, which is based on a true story, because of its dark material.

The film - which is already getting Oscars buzz - focuses on 46-year-old writer Cheryl Strayed's decision to walk from southern California to the Oregon/Washington border along the rugged and unforgiving mountains of the Pacific Crest Trail.

She took on the journey in her late twenties because she decided she needed to set out alone on the mammoth 100-day trek to put her life back together four years after her mom's passing.

Throwback: Wild depicts the journey of Cheryl, pictured here in her late twenties traveling along the Pacific Crest Trail, who takes on a cleansing adventure after the loss of her mother and collapse of her marriage

A way out: Reese admitted that she was looking for help wherever she could find it at the beginning, because she didn't think she could do the movie

It also contains graphic scenes of drug use and illicit sex, because of Cheryl's difficult past before her decision to trek the path and start over.

'I literally sought help from everyone. I was passing strangers on the street, I was like, I don't want to do this movie. Help me!' Reese laughed, after she was asked about rumors she underwent hypnosis during production of the challenging material.

However, in the end she shared that it was Cheryl's blessing that got her through it all. 'She sat me down the day before and she said I know you're going to do this,' Reese said.