Lea Michele says Penelope Cruz is her style icon.

The 'Glee' star has often been complimented for looking like the Spanish beauty, and she reveals she is impressed by the 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' actress' ''sophisticated'' dress sense.

Quizzed about her style inspiration, she told Marie Claire Mexico magazine: ''I think that is one of the hardest questions because they are so many [people I admire]. But I have always looked up to Penelope Cruz. She always looks beautiful, classy and sophisticated. I probably would say that she is one of the most beautiful women in the world.''

While she loves Penelope's ''classy'' look, the 26-year-old beauty - who shot her cover for the magazine prior to the death of her boyfriend and 'Glee' co-star Cory Monteith - admits that her own style is far more ''relaxed''.

She explained: ''My style is very relaxed and simple: jeans, flats and a leather jacket. Lately, I have mixed the Californian style with the dark side of New York. I would wear black every day if I could.''

However, when it comes to wearing lavish gowns for Hollywood events, Lea says she loves to try different things.

She added: ''For red carpets I love experimenting.''