In the film, Mandy Lane is held up as this image of physical perfection. Did that make you more self-conscious of how you looked and moved on set?

Yes. Like most people, I’ve been the girl who walks down a hallway and isn’t aware how I look and how other people perceive me.

When you walk down a hallway as Mandy Lane in those slow motion shots, you become very, very conscious of how you look. But that was perfect for the character - this introverted, painfully shy, insecure girl or so it seems at the beginning of the film.

Do you find it easy to watch yourself on screen?

It’s impossible to watch a movie objectively, especially your own scenes, but if it’s a piece of work and I’m proud of it, as I am with Mandy Lane - I love the movie - then it’s a little easier.

Were you much like Mandy Lane in high school?

I didn’t seem to spend much time in school actually. I had a close group of friends but it was rare that I actually went to school. I left high school, literally, to act.

Do you think that the film accurately represents teenagers?

Absolutely. That’s what I love about the film. Jonathan Levine, the director, and Jacob Forman, who wrote the script, did such an amazing job of portraying American teens, and encompassing how high school society functions.

The girls in the film are amazing representatives of the girls who are generally considered to be popular and cool in school.

Then you’ve got the other characters who are the insecure, nervous girls, who care about what other people think about them more than anything.

What’s next for you?

I believe I have five films coming out this year. Other than All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, I have a film called Never Back Down with Sean Faris and Djimon Hounsou. I also have a small independent coming out called The Beautiful Ordinary.

I have an amazing film that I have just finished called The Informers by Gregor Jordan, with Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke, Billy Bob Thornton. I have another film coming out called The Pineapple Express, which is a Judd Apatow film. I’m really excited about this year.

All The Boy Love Mandy Lane released in UK cinema 15th February

Tagged in