'It forced me to stand at attention': Kristen Stewart reveals what starring in Twilight was really like and why she is drawn to things that 'scare' her

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Overnight, Kristen Stewart went from a little known actress to the star of one of the most popular franchises of all time.

And while the 26-year-old admits it was 'the most uncomfortable' time of her life, she is grateful for everything it taught her.

Kristen reflected on her time working on the saga, which ran from 2008 to 2012, during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday.

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'It mattered to so many people': Kristen Stewart talked about her days starring in the Twilight saga during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday

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We're used to seeing Kristen Stewart dressed casually in t-shirts, jeans and sneakers, but for her appearance on the Ellen show, the Twilight star got all gussied up in a Pinko dress.

The midi length slipdress had a lace trim, color block design and a sheer hemline. Kristen teamed it with a pair of platform oxford shoes to complete the look.

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'It was something I really invested in. It mattered to so many people,' she shared.

'Something personal became not the most personal thing, which is awesome because to share that is great, but at the same time I was 17 or 18 when it all kind of went down and that’s the most uncomfortable, terrible, weird… You’re 17-years-old and like, "Ahhh!"'

Kristen added: 'But at the same time, it was good. It kind of forced me to stand at attention in this way.'

The actress told Ellen that she is 'relatively' shy, joking that she is reserved 'only on the weekends'.

'When I do stuff that really scares me good things happen': The 26-year-old also said that taking risks and pushing herself out of her comfort zone has always worked out for the best

But on a more serious note she added that taking risks and pushing herself out of her comfort zone has always worked out for the best.

'I think that when I do stuff that really scares me good things happen,' Kristen said. 'I feel like good stuff happens really fast or really terrified.'

When Ellen asked her if she has deliberately been drawn to more independent movies after appearing in such a commercial franchise, the brunette insisted that wasn't the case.

'I’ve always been the least tactful person,' she said. 'So I’ve been rarely let down by following my gut and being drawn to creative endeavours that just feel right without any explanation and they’ve been small or big.

'I was really invested': Kristen, shown here in the first movie, admits it was 'the most uncomfortable' time of her life, but she is grateful for everything it taught her

'This movie we’re talking about now [Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk], it was huge. It’s like a huge Ang Lee picture. So I’m just all over the map.' 

The pair discussed Twilight after Ellen shared a snapshot from the last time Kristen appeared on the show, to promote Breaking Dawn.

When asked what she thinks about looking at the image, which also featured her ex-boyfriend Robert Pattinson, Kristen joked: 'Really uncomfortable hair extensions?'

However she added: 'I look at those photos and I feel like I’m looking at a college yearbook. It was just after my high school experience would have been so it feels like just after.

Say cheese: The actress, who wore a black and white negligee inspired dress, posed for a photo on set

'I don’t jump right back into those memories, but as soon as you see a picture you’re just, "Oh god, it’s like yesterday."'

Kristen even spoke a bit of French for Ellen while discussing the success of her movie Clouds Of Sils Maria.

The star currently has several projects in the works, with Billy Flynn's Long Halftime Walk in cinemas now.

Next year, Kristen can be seen in ghost story film Personal Shopper and small-town America drama Certain Women.

Surprise: Meanwhile Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda also appeared on the show

She will also star alongside Chloe Sevigny in a thriller about Lizzie Borden, who was tried and acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe.

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda also appeared on the show and Ellen got him to come up with freestyle raps based on random words, much to the audience's delight.

For his first attempt, he came up with a rap about when people don't thank you after you hold open the door for them. 

'Yo Ellen, held the door for this old lady, walked by saying nothing, so shady. Is this Trump's America? Aw man, so rude. I hate this Whole Foods,' he rapped.

Impressive: Ellen got him to come up with freestyle raps based on random words, much to the audience's delight

Other raps were about squeaky wheels on supermarket trolleys, having to constantly update your phone and running out of hot water in the shower - which included the line: 'I could cut this door open with my nipple.'

For his final rap, Ellen asked him to come up with something about one of her audience members (named Nancy) dancing.

'I’m not Iggy Azalea, Mrs. Nancy, but the way you dance is just so damn fancy, he rapped. 'You got the blue scarf, aw yeah man, just swing it back and forth.

'I like the way that you swing it, the colours are swinging, it’s like Martina Hingis with a racket. I can’t stand it, I can’t hack it. You're tremendous, Nancy. I'll see you after the show.'

Making them laugh: Lin-Manuel rapped about squeaky wheels on supermarket trolleys, having to constantly update your phone and running out of hot water in the shower