She hit headlines after being the sole female nominated for Gold at this year’s Logie Awards.
And Jessica Marais has spoken out about her quest to be an ‘authentic woman’ in the entertainment industry.
Speaking with Stellar on Sunday, the 32-year-old stated: ‘We are less forgiving of female mistakes in general’.
Intimate interview: Jessica Marais has revealed that her roles in Love Child and The Wrong Girl have caused her to think deeply about her life as a woman
The small-screen sweetheart, who shot to fame almost a decade ago in Packed To The Rafters, now plays two complex female characters in the hit series Love Child and The Wrong Girl.
The talented star told the publication that the two roles have caused her to think deeply about her life as a woman.
‘I think we’re [women] held to a higher standard because we’re meant to be mothers, and I think the Madonna-whore complex still exists quite a lot,’ she told the publication.
High-profile split: Jessica and her ex-fiance James Stewart ended their engagement in 2015
Jessica is a single mum to five-year-old daughter, Scout, whom she shares with her ex-fiance James Stewart.
The pair met on Packed To The Rafters, with Jessica telling Stellar that she juggles parenting duties and her hectic filming schedule with the help of her former flame.
Whilst the beauty was reluctant to discuss her current romantic life in the intimate interview with the publication, she was more open about her battle with bipolar disorder.
Devoted parents: Jessica and James share five-year-old daughter Scout
The four-time Logie winner revealed that she takes medication for the condition, which she went public with several years ago.
‘It’s not something that I feel entirely defines me,’ a defiant Jessica told the magazine.
The second season of The Wrong Girl is set to premiere next week on Channel Ten.
Golden Girl! The four-time Logie winner also discussed her diagnosis with bipolar disorder in the interview with Stellar