Rising Star - Michelle Trachtenberg

From CosmoGIRL - February 2001

Imagine this: You're a huge fan of one of the hottest TV shows around. You never, ever miss a single episode. Nothing -- not even backstage passes to an 'N Sync concert or a thermonuclear blast -- could pry you away from the set when it's on.

And then, one day, you actually get an offer to star in the show.

Sound like a dream? Well, it came true for actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who joined the cast of the WB megahit Buffy the Vampire Slayer this season. "It's my favorite show in the whole world," says Michelle. "It's like, Tuesday night. 8 p.m., no friends can call me. Nobody can talk to me. It's Buffy Time!"

Last year, the 15-year old actress copped the coveted role of Buffy's naive, slightly annoying little sister, Dawn. When evil comes lurking, big sister Buffy whips out her sisterly slaying powers to protect her. Michelle can totally relate to the role. "When I was younger, I was the annoying kid sister who was always trying to hang around with my older sister and her friends," she remembers. "I'd even pick up the phone and listen in while she was talking to guys. She'd be like, 'Get out and stop listening to my conversations!' I don't think it helps if you laugh when you're listening in. That might have given me away." Oops!

Note to Buffy: Lock your diary!