America Ferrera shows off her shapely figure in the Bahamas

As one of the curvier actresses on primetime TV, Ugly Betty star America Ferrera represents a positive role model for young women.

While many of her Hollywood contemporaries are starving and wearing size zero clothes, the 25-year-old has always championed a healthier attitude to body image.

Rarely seen out of her Betty Suarez costumes or in a full-length gown on the red carpet, the actress gave fans a rare change to see her shapely figure as she relaxes in the Bahamas.

Beach babe: America Ferrera shows off her curves in a burgundy and aquamarine bikini as she strolls through the surf in the Bahamas

Wearing a burgundy and aquamarine bikini top and matching shorts, the curvy star strolled through the Caribbean surf as she holidays at the exclusive Atlantic resort.

America is currently enjoying a few days relaxation with friends after she recently completed filming the fourth season of Ugly Betty.

Only two weeks ago, America and her co-star Becki Newton were spotted filming the new series on the paradise island.

Shapely: America lives up to her first ever film role Real Women Do Have Curves

Staying at the same resort, America's Betty character and Becki as Amanda played on water slides and swam with dolphins as the Mode employees enjoyed a vacation from the New York fashion magazine.

But after returning to the island last week, there were no braces or clashing clothes in sight as America chilled out by the sea.

While her role as Ugly Betty requires America to be curvy, the actress said she is perfectly happy with her figure and refuses to loose weight to conform to the Hollywood ideal.

She said in an interview this year: 'There's just way too much attention placed on the way we look.

'I think it's hilarious when people call Jessica Alba or Eva Longoria curvy. Come on - they're not curvy. I'm curvy!

'I've been really lucky. Playing Betty has prepared me to be exactly who I am and not to change.

'What is normal now? Is it normal to be size zero? Starving yourself is not beautiful.'

Ugly Betty's America Ferrera shows her pretty side at New York premiere

America Ferrera shed her Ugly Betty alter ego for a glamorous red carpet appearance in New York last night.

The actress, best known as the awkward but lovable Betty Suarez, cut a sleek figure at the premiere of her new film, The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2.

Stylish: America Ferrera at the New York premiere of The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2 last night

Her character's trademark glasses, braces and thrown-together wardrobe were nowhere to be seen as she sayshed along in a stylish Brian Reyes strapless blue confection and Christian Louboutin heels.

She was later joined by her co-stars from the film, including actress Blake Lively.

Both of their careers have gone into overdrive since the original Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants was released in 2005.

The two faces of America: The actress left Betty's glasses and braces behind for her red carpet appearance

Ferrera, 24, has earned an Emmy and a Golden Globe award for her performance Ugly Betty while Lively, 20, has gone on to become a celebrity magazine darling thanks to her role in the hit US show Gossip Girls.

Of her success, Ferrera said last night: 'Being on Ugly Betty has certainly been unlike anything else I've done in my career.

'I'm thankful - almost every day - that I get to wake up and do what I love.'

Rising stars: America Ferrera with co-stars Blake Lively (left), Alexis Bledel and Amber Tamblyn