By Cara Alwill
As one of the main characters on the hit TV show "Gossip Girl," Jessica Szohr, who plays Vanessa, could easily lead an off-screen life as glamorous as her onscreen one. But this self-proclaimed “jeans and tee shirt girl” is refreshingly down-to-earth. In her cover story for the February 2010 issue of Teen Vogue, Jessica opens up about her modest attitude towards fame, her relationship with Ed Westwick, and her big screen debut.
When you star in one of the most popular shows on television, you’re bound to be bombarded by fans that instantly recognize you. Though for Jessica, it goes a bit differently. When curious fans stop Jessica on the street, they tell her she looks “just like” Vanessa from "Gossip Girl." Her humble response? “I get that a lot.” This Wisconsin-native seems to take it all in stride, even when told she is “cuter” in real life.
Jessica’s laid back attitude is even reflected in the story of how she landed her role on on the stylish series. "Two of my friends in L.A. invited me to this Labor Day barbecue, but I really just wanted to stay on the couch with my French bulldog," she says. They kept calling, though, so off she went. "I remember hanging out by the pool in an old T-shirt and jean shorts, just talking to people. Three days later, my manager calls to tell me that I'd been with the show's executive producer and one of the creators and they want me to audition." Less than a week after that, Jessica was on her way to New York. "Nuts," she added.
"Gossip Girl" is not all Jessica has on her plate, however. This April, she will make her big screen debut in the spring-break thriller "Piranha 3-D." The movie is about a "crazy party lake" where piranhas roam. When asked about her experience filming the flick, Jessica says, "When you're working on a lake and it's dark and cold out and you can't see what's underwater, it is freaking scary!"
When it comes to her relationship with her costar, Ed, she tells Teen Vogue, "He's a really rad guy. He's awesome and smart and talented and adorable, and we make each other laugh." When asked about what the couple likes to do when they spend time together, Jessica says they’re pretty low-key. "We go to dinners, have nights by ourselves and fun romantic times in general. And I like just cuddling up on the couch."
How many of you want to cuddle on the couch with Chuck Bass, too?
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