She is one of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood.

But Charlize Theron believes Kim Kardashian has the power to ‘get way more off than ground’ than not only her, but acting icon Meryl Streep.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Theron, 47, claimed she wielded less influence in the entertainment industry with reality television now dominating the showbiz sphere.

‘We are living in a time of reality television’: Charlize Theron believes Kim Kardashian has the power to ‘get way more off than ground’ than not only her, but action icon Meryl Streep

‘The market is really different today, and the fame that worked 20 years ago, the fame that was cash in the bank, is different now,’ she told the publication when asked about a recent remark she made about having less currency to make things nowadays than she previously did.

‘We are living in a time of reality television, and God knows I love me some reality TV. So, the marketplace of what Kim Kardashian represents — and not in a negative way because I watch everything that she does — has way more value than what Meryl Streep, one of the greatest actresses working, does. And that’s just the truth.

‘They have very different skills, but if you were Kim Kardashian, you’d probably get way more off the ground.’

‘I watch everything that she does’: Charlize admitted to being an avid follower of the social media sensation

‘That’s just the truth’: Theron said Meryl, ‘one of the greatest actresses working’, wielded less influence in showbiz with reality television now overtaking traditional scripted acting

While Kim’s career revolves around social media and Charlize is an actress, Kim currently blows Charlize out of the water when it comes to follower count on Instagram.

Kim currently boasts 334M followers on Instagram, whereas the Sweet November actress has a mere 7.1M people following her.

Recalling her ascent to fame, Charlize described what it was like appearing on billboards advertising her film 2 Days in the Valley in her underwear after appearing as an extra in Children of the Corn III.

No comparison! Kim currently blows Theron out of the water when it comes to follower count on Instagram

‘It was a lot. I remember standing on Sunset Boulevard, like, “Oh my God.” And the way I was raised was very body positive, so it wasn’t so much, “Oh, I’m in lingerie.” I didn’t make the connection of how wrong that was until way later. It was more just overwhelming, like, “Holy s**t, I’m working with Danny Aiello and Glenne Headly.”

‘I was ready to do way more Children of the Corn IIIs. But then the other thing happened, which is that you have something that works, and then every audition is like, “We just want you to do that.”‘

But Charlize was determined not to do anymore roles in her lingerie again.

‘It was more just overwhelming’: Charlize remembered what it was like to suddenly go from being an extra on Children of the Corn III to appearing in billboards advertising her film 2 Days in the Valley in her underwear

Asked what compelled her to turn down similar roles in the future, she said: ‘Instinct, really. We’re having such a conversation now around opportunities, and it’s a really tricky one to have, but I think that actors, instinctively, know that they want to challenge themselves and want to play things outside of who they are. I don’t think you build a career by playing yourself.

‘Luke Evans just said something great about this. He said, basically, “I wouldn’t have a career if I only played gay.” And I know it’s his personal story, and other people will have their own stories, and I am not a minority, so I have no place in saying this, but, for me, back then, it was a feeling of, “I don’t want to be in white lingerie again. I want to do something completely different.”‘

Her manager at the time was in disbelief that she would consider turning down the roles, but Charlize was unwavering in her determination to break out of that mold.

‘I don’t want to be in white lingerie again’: Theron pictured in the 1996 film 2 Days in the Valley

‘I had a manager at the time who was like, “You have an offer to do Naked Gun and a Half II” or something, and I was like, “Yeah, no, I don’t want to do that.” He was all, “You’ll never work again. Who do you think you are?” And I was like, “You’re right. I am nobody. But something tells me I shouldn’t do that.”

‘And I like those movies, but I didn’t want to have to go home in four years and run my mom’s construction company. I was constantly thinking about, “How do I make this last?” And if you can keep surprising audiences, you might get the job.’

Charlize’s persistence has clearly paid off, with the actress achieving an Oscar for her role in the 2003 film Monster.