Lana Del Rey: I'm charitable like Jolie

Lana Del Rey wants to "become a sort of Angelina Jolie" figure with her charity work.

The 26-year-old singer looks up to the Hollywood actress, who has been heavily involved with African charities.

Lana believes more celebrities should use their star power for good causes and she raises money for an organisation that helps homeless people. She became involved after beating alcohol addiction and turning her life around with the help of rehab.

"Music was my passion, but my work with this foundation is more important. I myself had the chance to be [helped by an establishment]," Lana revealed to French magazine Madame Figaro. "Helping others now feels like it's my turn to give something back. [Through my time spent getting sober] I found more than an identity: I found a family. I want to become a sort of Angelina Jolie. Like her, I think fame is nothing in itself, but it can be put to good use - by using it to generate money for charity for example."

Lana's past still haunts her today. She was an alcoholic at 14, but instead of checking her into an alcohol recovery program, her parents sent her off to boarding school. The Born to Die star often touches on themes of mourning and loss in her song lyrics and her alcohol problems still effect everything in her life.

"When you no longer drink, it is more difficult to celebrate," Lana continued. "In fact, when I quit drinking, I lost my life.

It took my all to reinvent myself and find my roots. It was very difficult. At the same time, I have never felt rooted in whatever I've done or wherever I've been since."

This year Lana will be performing around Europe during her 34 date tour. Despite her success in the music industry, her heart lies with her charity work and she feels her purpose in life is to do something beautiful.

"Today, I spend less time at the foundation, but last July we opened two centres, one in New York and one in Los Angeles. For me selling records is incomparable to the dedication and commitment I feel for the foundation. It gives me another dimension to my life," Lana explained. "Even as a child I've always felt different. I've always wanted to make my life a work of art."