When Rachael Leigh Cook arrived at our shoot on a Sunday at a downtown Hollywood hotel, work weary and just having rolled out of bed, the 5'2 gorgeous-without-a-bit-of-makeup actress had her boyfirend in tow. Rachael told us she didn't know what we could possibly write about her because she was actually kinda boring, cuz she and Ryan (her squeeze of 6 months, also an actor) are very happy, like their parents, and they don't have any substance addictions. Boring? Hmmm, let's just go over a couple of the facts here. Rachael Has done 11 films in 3 years, making her one of the most prolific independent movie stars of our generation. She's about to make it really big in a starring role opposite Freddie Prinze Jr. (sigh), in She's All That ('99 release), plus she's the girl in the anti-drug Public Service Announcement who smashes up the kitchen with a pan, that everyone's buzzing about. At the same time, she and her Ryan are really down to earth people. When we noticed how in sync the two actors were, we suggested that Ryan do the interview in Rachael for this story. "Right on," said Rachael, "I've never seen that done before." Neither had we, but these two are so cool, we thought it could be fun to be a fly on the wall when they went home that night, an besides, as Rachael said, no one knows her better.

Ryan: Rachael you've been shooting a new film for the last two weeks, She's All That, and you play the title character, of the "She" being all that?

RLC: yeah

What's it all about?

Well, these popular guys make a bet among themselves that they can turn pretty much any girl in school, with their help, be popular, and maybe even the prom queen in a matter of weeks. And um... lo and behold they pick me, who's scary. I have a unibrow, and I'm inaccessible, and reclusive. But ahhh, then it turns into a love story about really getting to like someone for who they are.

Is she aware of the bet?

I'm not giving you the movie...

All right... I gotcha. So basically she transforms?

Only on the outside

Who've you been working with?

It's an all star cast of characters including a brilliant actor and friend of mine, Mr. Freddie Prinze Jr. Also in the movies Academy Award winner Anna Pacquin.... Musical sensations L'il Kim and Usher...

OK, OK... I'll stop you there... the film you just wrapped, Strike, also starring Kirstin Dunst, Gaby Hofmann... ... and Heather Matarazzo, I just love her... hey mXg you should interview her as soon as possible. You play sort of a tattle tale and teacher's pet. Is that similar to your personality?

(Silence, we think she's making a face) I'm not that beastly, I'm just misunderstood (She whines in character.)

In between Tom and Huck and Strike you did a lot of independent films... including one called Hi-Line

Yeah, I did Hi-Line , (she laughs) where I met a certain very special someone, and I think you know him pretty well. We didn't meet until we got to to location... and we were really the only two actors in most of the film. We got to be friends... and our first kiss was in the movie.

You've got another thing that's getting alotta notice lately... a Public Service Announcement you did against drug use. You're the so-called "girl with the frying pan smashing everything in the kitchen..."

Ah, yes, the heroin girl

Yeah, apparently it had such an impact that you got to meet with one of the President's advisors on the war against drugs.

Yes, General McCaffrey... he gave me an autographed 8x10...

Which you display prominently in your home?

You know it.

Is your boyfriend jealous of that picture?

I think so... (she trails off playfully)

Um, were you suprised at the response you got from the PSA?

Yeah. As a side bonus I got to feel like I was doing something really good... and... man... if it even helps keep one person in terms of keeping them away from drugs...

You smash an entire kitchen in the PSA. Was that a hard day at work?

Breaking things is not as fun as you think. It's actually rather scary. I'm not a destructive person by nature...

Do you find that when you visit people's homes they they tend to keep you out of the kitchen now?

The only reason they keep me out of the kitchen is because I can't cook.

Do you have any particular future career goals?

Oh... this is where I say that all I really wanna do is direct. (She laughs.) I dunno, I look forward to all kinds of roles... playing more adult parts, preferably ones written for people over the age of 16 years of age.

Do you prefer comedy or drama?

I don't think I am funny... I mean people say it's harder to make people laugh then make people cry. Umm... my dad's a very funny guy, sometimes I think I've got a little bit o him... but I just didn't have that (she snaps her fingers) timing... (snap) thing...

Are you in a relationship?

Very much so.

Do you find it harder to be in a relationship and still spend so much time on your career and making movies... that whole environment thing?

It's the exact opposite. Being in a really good fun relationship that's supportive makes everything that much better.

Anything you wanna say to wrap up?