Mena Suvari: 'Divorce was like weeding the garden'

Mena Suvari has compared her recent marriage breakdown to tending troublesome weeds in her garden.

The American Beauty star filed for divorce from concert promoter Simone Sestito in January (12), just 18 months after they wed.

The split marked the actress' second failed marriage, following the end of her five-year union with cinematographer Robert Brinkmann in 2005 - but she has brushed off her chequered relationship history.

Suvari tells You magazine, "There are many reasons why things don't work out, and I think at some point you have to acknowledge that and work towards maintaining your own happiness. You have to surround yourself with people who love you and want the best for you.

"I call this process weeding my garden. A year or so ago I went through all the people in my life and asked myself: does this person inspire me, genuinely love me and support me unconditionally? I wanted nothing but positive influences in my life."