Janis Joplin's journals are used as basis for new film on her

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Joplin was know as the care-free, party-loving star who lived life to the full
But documentary shows she struggled with appearance and other demons
She was bullied at school and dropped out of university with drug addiction
Was also desperate to impress parents and even moved back to be a teacher

Published: 04:55 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 08:03 EST, 22 November 2015

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Psychedelic queen of rock Janis Joplin may have seemed like the ultimate party girl but her journals have revealed she was haunted by self-doubt.

Rock's leading lady was famous for her carefree attitude but she was also damaged from being bullied at school for her short skirts and dyed hair, and suffered from body dysmorphia - an irrational and distorted view of her appearance.

The Woodstock legend famously advocated that people 'get stoned, stay happy, and have a good time,' but she was also desperate for the approval of her conservative parents in Texas, the documentary reveals.

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Rock's leading lady was famous for her carefree attitude, portrayed as a Southern Comfort Drinking Texas superstar with a 'devil-may-care' attitude

But she was also damaged from being bullied at school for her short skirts and dyed hair, and suffered from body dysmorphia - an irrational and distorted view of her appearance

Before finding stardom, she even moved back to Texas to become a high school teacher after dropping out of university because she spent six months addicted to amphetamines when performing on the folk scene in New York and San Fransisco, according to film-maker Amy Berg’s Janis: Little Girl Blue (pictured)

The bullying at school had continued at Texas University and, in a cruel joke, she was voted the ugliest man on campus by college fraternities.

And despite numerous relationships with women - one of which led to further bullying at school - she wanted to settle down with a boyfriend to make her parents happy.

It was these insecurities that created demons that eventually led to her death from an heroin overdose, aged 27, according to film-maker Amy Berg’s Janis: Little Girl Blue.

'She was portrayed as this loud, Southern Comfort-drinking girl – and she definitely loved to have fun – but like so many women she was trying to find herself,' Berg told The Observer.

Joplin was known as one of the most talented and original singers of her generation, releasing hit albums and performing at Woodstock before her untimely death in 1970.

It was the insecurities she found in her teenage years that created demons that eventually led to her death from an heroin overdose, aged 27, when she was at the height of her stardom

Joplin - pictured singing with Tina Turner - was known as one of the most talented and original singers of her generation, releasing hit albums and performing at Woodstock before her untimely death in 1970

She found fame in 1966 with band Big Brother And The Holding Company - after briefly moving home following her amphetamine addiction - and rapidly became a global superstar

She found fame in 1966 with band Big Brother And The Holding Company - after briefly moving home following her amphetamine addiction - and rapidly became a global superstar.

Joplin was famous for talking openly about drugs, drinking and sex, and friends included Jimmy Hendrix and Jim Morrison - both of whom who also died aged 27.

She was poignantly quoted as saying: 'Man, I’d rather have 10 years of superhypermost than live to be 70 sitting in some goddamn chair watching television.'

But with so much adulation on stage, she struggled to deal with the more normal aspects of ordinary life such as family and relationships.

In the documentary, her brother and sister, Michael and Laura, recall going to see Joplin at a rock concert in Haight-Ashbury, and witnessing the intense love her fans had for her.

On their way out, they recall their parents saying that they knew from that moment on that they would no longer have much influence over their daughter's life.

Joplin was famous for talking openly about drugs, drinking and sex, and friends included Jimmy Hendrix and Jim Morrison - both of whom who also died aged 27

Joplin, who performed solo and with The Grateful Dead And The Band, was the 'first lady of rock'n'roll', according to Berg, but she was breaking boundaries in a man's world and had no role-model

But Joplin, looked as though she might have overcome her demons shortly before her overdose, having found a new way to sing that would extend her career, and a stable relationship. 'That's why her ending was so tragic,' said Berg

Joplin, who performed solo and with The Grateful Dead And The Band, was the 'first lady of rock'n'roll', according to Berg, but she was breaking boundaries in a man's world and had no role-model.

The documentary also examines other issues including drugs, women's liberation and the ant-war movement that she was involved in.

But her diaries show that as her success and fame grew, it had less and less meaning for her.

She wrote: 'As it gets closer and more probable, being a star is really losing its meaning. But whatever it means I’m ready.'

There have been a number of parallels drawn between Joplin and Amy Winehouse, who died at the same age, joining the infamous '27 club' - a group of stars also including Nirvana's Kurt Cobain who all died at the age of 27.

Both were adored on stage, but both fought demons such as drink, drug addiction and body image issues behind the scenes.

But Joplin, looked as though she might have overcome her demons shortly before her overdose, having found a new way to sing that would extend her career, and a stable relationship.

'That's why her ending was so tragic,' said Berg.