Melanie Griffith is looking forward to being "completely free" following her split from Antonio Banderas.

Melanie Griffiths is looking forward to doing whatever she wants following her split from her husband of 18 years Antonio Banderas.

The 57-year-old actress filed for divorce from the 'Expendables 3' star in June after 18 years of marriage, and insists she is excited about what lies ahead in her life now that she can do what she wants.

She said: "Over the last years, I've devoted myself to my family, and that was it. But now, I'm completely free. So I'm determinate to do only what I want from now on, and none is going to stop me."

Melanie - who has 17-year-old daughter Stella with Antonio - plays alcoholic Sue in new short film 'Thirst' and the star admits she felt a "special connection" with her alter-ego because of her own battles with alcohol addiction.

Speaking to Spanish magazine Lecturas at the premiere of 'Thirst' at Locarno's Film Festival, she said: "I'm an alcoholic in a recovery phase, and I've been struggling with this problem for the last five years. So, obviously, I felt a special connection with this character."

According to a petition filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, the couple cited irreconcilable differences as a reason for their split, but the 54-year-old actor refuses to discuss their divorce proceedings because he and Melanie struck a deal to not comment about the details in public.

He told Spanish website Vanitatis: "I have an agreement with Melanie, a pact. We have agreed to not talk or comment our divorce at all. That's our deal and, therefore, I'm not going to say a thing about her."

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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