You've seen her around, but do you really know the girl behind the face and the name? Ariel Sherburne is one of the many young stars in the phenomenon known as Twilight, and she's about to make her own legacy by playing the role of Elena Gilbert in the anticipated new series, The Vampire Diaries.

First of all - congratulations on the TV show! How did that come about?
Hi! Thanks! I'm really excited about this project! Obviously I'm involved in the vampire world because of the movie, but this was something new and exciting and doing a television show is so much different than filming a movie! There were a lot of other girls that were in the running for this role but I can't tell you how happy I am that I got it!

We can tell! So let's start from the beginning - tell us a little bit about yourself!
My full name is Ariel Abigail Sherburne and I'm nineteen years old. I did a lot of school plays when I was younger, and my first actual role was as Rachel in the movie Speak based off of the novel of the same name. It was such a great experience! And then there was the small role in Sweeney Todd and then this new vampire movie came along. I'm not sure if you've heard of it but I'm pretty sure that it's really popular!

I think that everyone has heard of that little vampire movie franchise! What was it like to be in something so big?
Oh gosh, I really wasn't expecting it to be this big. I mean not many people talked about the books or anything and now it's pretty much everywhere you go.

Have you read the books?
Yes, I have! I got them shortly after I was cast as Jessica, and I love them just as much as even the most rabid fans do, now! They're so great and they're really able to capture all of those teenage girl emotions and insecurities.

Do you have the same insecurities?
Definitely! What girl doesn't? There's always going to come a point where you don't think you're pretty enough or good enough to be with the guy that you're dating, but it's all about just letting those feelings disappear while you're with him.

Are you anything like your character, Jessica?
I think so. I mean I'm not a huge gossip like she is, but I'm pretty girly, I like to think. She's a lot more cattier than I am, though, but I really do think that her heart is in the right place. Most of the time, at least.

Have you ever dealt with the unrequited love that Jessica went through with Mike?
Who hasn't? I don't really think that it was totally unrequited for Jess and Mike, though. Mike was just all.. bamboozled by Bella and everything and Jessica was sort of old news to him but then he realized that he didn't have a chance with Bella and came back to earth and was like, 'hey.. Jessica is pretty awesome. Why didn't I see it before?'

Are you dating anyone currently?
No, I don't think so.

You don't think so?
Right! If I was dating someone then I'd try to keep it quiet for as long as possible. But to make things easier - no, I'm not dating anyone right now. I don't really have the time to!

How does it feel to be playing the lead role in a TV series about vampires?
Really cool, actually! I love the whole 'vampire falls in love with a human and has to protect her from the other bad vampires' thing. I think it's really sweet and something that probably every girl dreams about! Not being killed by a vampire, obviously, but having a guy in your life that will love you that much and want to protect you from everything. It's comforting, almost.

Is it interfering with your other film obligations?
No, not at all. Most of the episodes are completed so I'm done with it for quite sometime, and since I'm done filming as Jessica for New Moon I'm able to take on other roles without it getting too hectic for me.

We heard you've been filming another movie. Can you tell us about it?
I can't! The only thing that I can tell you is that it's going to be a romantic comedy and it's called Valentine's Day.

Okay, okay. Do you have any other roles lined up?
I do! I've just gotten cast as the teen version of Scarlett in 17 Again which is really exciting. It's a small role but I'm excited to get the chance to do it. And I'll obviously be returning to the world of the Cullens for Eclipse, and to promote for New Moon once it's wrapped.

Any advice to offer to other young adults who might want to break out into the same business?
Be yourself - that's the most important thing. And stick to your gut instincts. If something doesn't feel right to you at all then it probably isn't, and it's so important to stay true to your convictions!