James Franco doesn’t seem like the type of guy that would find it hard to get a date, but according to the actor, his shyness makes dating difficult for him.

Franco dated Ahna O’Reilly for five years, but the couple split in 2011. Since then Franco has stayed single and said that he doesn’t know how to act around women and sometimes gets very shy.

He added that he is working on getting his confidence back, but just isn’t comfortable with asking a woman out yet.

“I’ve been getting better over the years at being able to speak more comfortably when I first meet someone,” he told TVNZ.

“Obviously you have to be a little apprehensive on some occasions but usually it’s all very natural.”

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He said that the media can make things difficult for him and other celebrities when it comes to dating and pursuing relationships. Not everyone is into having their personal life shared with the world and the media can’t seem to stay out of any celebrity’s business these days.

Earlier this year Franco was accused of flirting with a 17-year-old girl online. He said that he was only interested in a friendship with the girl and many people thought that the incident may have really been a way for him to promote his film Palo Alto. After the incident the actor says he shied away from women and dating even more.

Franco said that he tries not to worry about the media and what people say and knows that his celebrity status makes him a target for criticism.

“I don’t care. 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,” he said.