Thandie Newton, the 'Crash' actress - who has two daughters, eight-year-old Ripley and Nico, four, with her husband, writer Ol Parker - has strong friendships with her male pals because she never tries to manipulate them with her sexuality.

The 37-year-old star said: "I've never dated an actor, just had the odd fling. Isn't that weird? I don't flirt with people - a long time ago, I stopped using my sexuality to have a relationship with people.

"I don't really think you get a sense of me, sexually, and that's why I have really great relationships with straight men."

Although she has never had a relationship with a co-star, Thandie admitted she has a crush on John Cusack, who also appears in her new movie '2012'.

She added: "He's so sweet! Remember 'Say Anything' and the scene where he's holding up the stereo? John is smart; he's got great integrity and he's got that look. Like he would know what to do with you. He's a very sexy man. Even my mum was like, 'Ooh yes!' " (c) BANG