Rachael Leigh Cook is about to prove that she really is, as they say, "all that." The 19-year-old stunner has already captured the attention of couch potatoes everywhere as the egg-obliterating, kitchen-trashing heroin addict in that popular public service announcement. And now, as the title She in the film She's All That, she's buckin' the odds by transforming from high school wallflower into the belle of the ball--er, prom.
Next up, the native Minnesotan graces the big screen in the much anticipated Sundance entry Hi-Line, and later this year, she stars opposite Elijah Wood in The Bumblebee Flies Anyway.
Meantime, there's a guest stint on everybody's favorite teen saga "Dawson's Creek", playing what could just be her most audacious role yet--a manipulative actress who dares to toy with America's favorite psychobabbling adolescent.
Which got us to wondering:
Is She Going to Wound Our Fair Dawson?
"I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I know I'm only a short-term character--so, I'm
either going to die or hurt him. I think it'll be the latter."
Ouch, a Real Heartbreaker. Was She Like That in High School?
"No, I was pretty much invisible. I only went to an actual high school [before deciding to
act and being tutored on-set] for, like, three months, and I just kept to myself."
Then, Was Filming She's All That a Crash Course in What It Must Have Been Like? "It was a complete John Hughes experience, without the homework. And we were all kind of spooked, because for two weeks we were dressed in our prom gear at 7:30 in the morning."
What Does a Girl Need to Be "All That?"
"A good head on her shoulders, respect for herself and others, a personal sense of style
and self-assurance. Someone who's cool with who they are."
Do People See Her As Cool?
"Actually, they usually see me as the crazy girl from that commercial."
So What's She Really Like in the Kitchen?
"I'm not as crazy. I cook, but it's usually just reheating leftovers."
Does Being Cool Have Anything to Do with Having Three Names?
"Everyone is asking that. I'm actually thinking of getting rid of my middle name, because
it's become so trendy."
Even So, She'd Still Be Left with That Very Hollywood Extra "a" in Rachael.
"When I was born, the doctor asked my parents, 'How do you want to spell Rachel?' And
they were, like, 'There's another way to spell it?' It didn't cost anything extra, and they
liked it, so they added the 'a.' But now at restaurants when I put my name down, they
always call out Raquel or Rach-a-el."
Which Celeb Would Rach-a-el Want to Meet While Waiting for a Table?
"Johnny Depp. He's so cool. Oh, and Sinbad."
Johnny Depp and Sinbad?
"I just think he's so cool. I just want to go up to him and give him a big hug. If I see him, I
really think I will."
--Amanda Rudolph