Teenmag

Michelle Trachtenberg
You know her as the lucky-duck who got to join the cast of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" this year, but there's much more to Michelle Trachtenberg than meets the eye...See for yourselves:

Teenmag.com: So, I'm dying to know, how did you get the part of Dawn? Did Joss (Whedon, the creator) have you in mind, did he seek you out, did you read? How did that go down?

Michelle: "I had worked with Sarah before on "All My Children," and had been a huge fan of the show since day one. When I ran into Sarah and I told her how much I love the show, she invited me on the set to see what was going on behind the scenes. So, I got to meet Joss but I had no idea of Dawn at that time and then three weeks later I heard of the role and I went to read for it!"

"Sarah was very, very supportive from the beginning. She is such a wonderful person and she totally thought that I would be able to do this and do great things with Dawn, so she definitely played a role in the support system, and it just all went from there."

Teenmag.com: Cool! Was it awkward joining the cast? I mean, they've all been together for so long...

MT: "Yeah, joining was slightly nerve wracking. I mean, they've been a whole family, but I was really, really lucky that when I came on the set the cast and crew welcomed me with open arms."

Teenmag.com: So, what's the scoop on Dawn? Can you spill anything?

MT: "She is this good force that is the key to the world. Not only that, but she has been molded into flesh. But, even she doesn't know all of her extra-curricular characteristics. She has her own thoughts and her own opinions on everything and gets hurt sometimes when her sister doesn't include her in her slayer-esque duties.

Even though Dawn may not want to admit it completely, she has a great deal of respect for Buffy and she really looks up to her. You know, a) she's her big sister, but b) she's the slayer and she has so many responsibilities. And, you know, it's really great. It's Buffy's mission to protect me, to protect the key, to protect the world from evil. If I'm found, it's a bad world and I don't think anyone wants that. I'm really excited to be part of such a great storyline."

Teenmag.com: Yeah, you're one lucky kid! How old are you anyway?

MT: "15. I actually had my birthday on the set, I mean, everyone gave me a big 'ol cake and they sang Happy Birthday and it was very enjoyable."

Teenmag.com: Are you still in school anywhere? Tutored on the set?

MT: "I am a sophomore in high school. Yes, I have a teacher on the set who is with me all of the time, and so is my mom, and we do all of the subjects together. I've always been a good student. I think education is number one and it's very important to me to have a great education. I hope to go to college one day and I want to go to a really great school. I think that you have to have something that you can fall back on. I mean, acting is something that I want to do for the rest of my life. I enjoy it tremendously. I love it. I feel very honored to have found my passion so early in life, but nevertheless, education is important."

Teenmag.com: That's excellent: a girl with her head on her shoulders.

MT: "Well, thank you. My mom totally helps to keep me grounded and literally grounded if I don't clean my room. I mean, I do my chores. A lot of people think, " Oh please, she's an actress, she doesn't do anything." I do chores. I do everything. I'm just like a normal teenager in the sense that I hang out with my friends. We goof around. We do our whole thing, and my mom is right there next to me, and she's just very supportive."

Teenmag.com: Ok, here's where we ask you our "10 questions." What's the one makeup or product that you can't live without?

MT: (Giggles) "I have a product and a makeup.

There's this cream called Origin's Nite-A-Mins. As you sleep, it builds your skin. It relaxes you and builds stronger skin while you sleep. You breathe in all these relaxing aromas you drop into a nice sleep.

The makeup product I can't live without, I love, I just found this new lipstick. Well, a lip lacquer. Nard's "Sweet Charity." It's really, really beautiful. It's the perfect combo of like, sparkly pink and brown and everything, and I've always been partial to MAC actually. MAC is the only thing that doesn't dry up my skin. It reacts very well with my skin. It doesn't irritate it and, um, MAC is only used on the show. I only use MAC stuff because it's just really beautiful and it's great quality."

Teenmag.com: What snack do you always give in to when you go to the movies?

MT: "I usually get the average popcorn, but I'll get water instead of the soda because water is just very healthy for you. I love Doritos Nacho Cheesier. They're very good!"

Teenmag.com: What's your idea of the perfect Sunday?

MT: "Sleep very late. Then get up and relax the whole day. Maybe go shopping, which is always fun. I think Sundays are meant to be relaxing days. You have your good meal, have your 3 meals a day, which you don't get to have during the week. Just relax and spend time with your family."