Blake Lively: The Anti-Gossip Girl

Blake Lively was raised in sunny Burbank, California. In high school, she was an AP student, class president, a member of her school's choir, and a cheerleader. That's why it's so ironic that the all-American girl now portrays Serena van der Woodsen, a jaded NYC socialite on "Gossip Girl." In Allure's May issue, the 21-year-old actress reveals that while she does enjoy some of the superficial things that surround her character -- like Chanel handbags -- she'd never want Serena's life.

See Behind-the-Scenes Photos From Blake's Allure Cover Shoot

... On Why She Feels Like a Tranny Most of the Time
"I feel like a tranny a lot of the time. I don't know, I'm ... large? They put me in six inch heels, and I tower over every man. I've got this long hair and lots of clothes and makeup on. I just feel really big a lot of the time, and I'm surrounded by a lot of tiny people. I feel like a man sometimes."

... On Her Image As a Blonde Fashion Queen
"I'm blonde, and I have a small dog, so I try to avoid looking like a piece of bubble gum."

... On Being Quiet About Her Relationship With Costar Penn Badgley
"You see people who will open up their relationships, who are very affectionate on the red carpet or are doing a reality show with each other, and their relationship just seems to crumble, so I decided to keep a vow of silence."

... On What She Will Say About Penn
"He plays any instrument he picks up. He bought a piano, and then two months later you would think he was a concert pianist.

To read Blake's complete interview, pick up the May issue of Allure, on newsstands April 21.