Former Eastenders actress Katie Jarvis said she felt embarrassed by stories saying she now worked in discount store B&M.
The 28-year-old vanished from TV screens earlier this year when the BBC soap axed her character Hayley Slater in February.
There was confusion among the show's loyal fans, as they had not realised this was the last they would see of the actress, who had built up a fan base of her own.
Then Katie, herself, deleted her official Twitter account, many sad that they would not see her acting again.
But last weekend, the Daily Star spoke to the mum-of-two and confirmed she was now working as a security guard in B&M.
She said: "I’ve taken a step back from acting. I’ve got a job and I'm looking after my kids."
Today, speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire Show, Katie said she felt embarrassed by the story.
She said: "I woke up really embarrassed and made to feel ashamed when I saw the story.
"I have done my best over my career to keep my private life as private as possible so always stayed away from celebrity events.
"So to see myself on the front page while with my kids just for having a job in between acting jobs…
"All actors go through it, I have had loads of other jobs.
"I was doing the doughnuts when I did Fish Tank.
"That’s the life of an actor – I like to be busy and learn new things.
"I’ve been a waitress, worked for a credit card company and everything."
The mum also said she was overwhelmed with the support from other actors who tweeted about their experiences of working in between acting roles.
She added: "The people I work with are amazing and work hard for their money. As long as you’re working, that’s all that matters, no-one should be shamed for what they do. ‘The way the story was portrayed wasn’t very nice.
"It was quite nasty – to be made to feel degraded is wrong. Security guards put themselves at risk, there’s a lot goes into it – I joined my sister there as she does the same job. I feel I need to stand up for working class people.
"I am overwhelmed by it, I didn’t realise. I’m not on Twitter so didn’t see any of it. It’s kept me away from the bad stuff but to hear that was amazing – I am so glad to have their support."
This is not the first time she has taken time out from acting.
Back in 2009, she scooped three film awards and was nominated for five others for her role in Hollywood movie Fish Tank.
The drama, which focuses on a young single mother and her illicit affair with her mum's new boyfriend, won best British film at the BAFTAs.
Shortly after, Katie is from Dagenham, Essex, took time to spend time with her children, Lillie Mae and Alfie and her family.
