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James Franco talks dating, says he's 'shy' around women

''I've always been a little shy in meeting women," Franco said. ''I've been getting better over the years at being able to speak more comfortably when I first meet someone.

By Veronica Linares
James Franco. UPI/David Silpa
1 of 4 | James Franco. UPI/David Silpa | License Photo

NEW YORK, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- James Franco is an Academy-Award nominated actor, a published author and an NYU graduate, but the actor says he still gets "shy" when talking women.

Franco, who's been single since ending his 5-year relationship to Ahna O'Reilly in 2011, opened up about his love live in the latest issue of Loaded magazine.

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''I've always been a little shy in meeting women," said the Of Mice and Men star. ''I've been getting better over the years at being able to speak more comfortably when I first meet someone.

''Obviously you have to be a little apprehensive on some occasions but usually it's all very natural," he added.

While for the most part the actor keeps his personal life private, Franco faced criticism earlier this year after seemingly flirting with a 17-year-old fan on Instagram. The actor brushed off the controversy claiming he just wanted to "meet someone."

It was speculated soon after that Franco's interaction with the underage woman was an attempt to promote his upcoming film Palo Alto, which is based in his short stories collection of the same name. In the film, Franco plays a teacher who seduces a high school student played by Emma Roberts.

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"I don't care," the actor said of the rumors. "I've tried to address the issue of celebrity culture in different ways and by doing that I open myself up to that kind of criticism."

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