Berry writes to agony aunt

Fans of Halle Berry are scratching their heads after the actress wrote an agonised letter to a Los Angeles advice columnist.

The Oscar winner insisted the cry-for-help letter was for real and urged Los Angeles Sentinel columnist Deann Michaud to use her name at the end of it - so she could help others.

In the heart-felt plea, Berry asked for career advice following the flop of Catwoman and relationship help after the break-up of her marriage to Eric Benet.

Of her movie miss, the actress writes: "This thing with Catwoman is really affecting me but I've put up a brave front to get past it."

Michaud, whose column is a hit among African-American women in Los Angeles, admits she had reservations about running the letter because she felt sure it was a hoax, even though the writer insisted, "Yes, I'm really Halle Berry, and this is not a hoax."

The columnist attempted to verify the letter was in fact from Berry, and insists: "I'm satisfied that this is an authentic letter from Halle Berry."

The actress could not be reached for comment.