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