Alexis Bledel: TV's latest breakaway finds adventure on the big screen

Alexis Bledel, a sassy and sharp 21-year-old Houston native, has quickly made a name for herself as one of the stars of the WB hit Gilmore Girls. This month, she makes her film debut in Tuck Everlasting, a fantasy film inspired by Natalie Babbitt's popular book, a story of an adventure-seeking teenage girl who discovers a family of immortals living in the woods near her home. "It was fun to play someone who's a departure from my character on the show," says the actress. "This girl is more rebellious--she does what she wants to do." Not unlike Bledel herself, who as a freshman at New York University, having never acted before, on a whim went to an open audition and walked out with the Gilmore role.

In addition to exchanging small screen for big and the saccharine storylines of Gilmore Girls for one that involves weighty conflicts of mortality and sacrifice, Bledel faced the daunting task of working on Tuck with an Oscar-winning lineup of heavies that included Ben Kingsley, Sissy Spacek and William Hurt. "They're all very accomplished and I'm...not," she says modestly. "But making the movie made me feel like more of an actress, and I can't wait to make another." Eager to keep exploring the unknown, Bledel explains, "Next time I'm going for dark and intricate."

Nicole Vecchiarelli is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor. Above (from left): Alexis Bledel wears a dress by TSE. Top by HOT PINK BY LUCKY BRAND JEANS. Jeans by KOSIUKO. Cosmetic colors: M*A*C. Styling: TUNNEY & LEAL/luxe. Hair: JAMAL/hamadibeauty.com. Makeup: HEE SOO KWON/therexagency.com. Special thanks: 5TH AND SUNSET, L.A. For fashion and photo details see page 195. Photographer: DANIELLE LEVITT.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Brant Publications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning