Mischa Barton revealed

How do you handle the criticism aimed at you for being too skinny?
'People always say I'm too skinny or that I'm borderline anorexic and things like that. I never even think about my weight. I eat basically whatever I want and I don't like working out except for going jogging once in a while.'

Do you identify with the kinds of problems Marissa is experiencing?
'I understand them although I have to confess my own life has been much less dramatic! (Laughs) Marissa has her darker side and she often has this sad and lonely feeling about her life and that's also something young women can relate to. There's a side to me that's like that, too, even though I have to admit my life is pretty good right now and I don't have very much to complain about.'

Do your friends ever worry about how fame might be affecting you?
'I don't think so. I'm really trying to downplay everything that's been happening to me because I realise that it's just a case of being in the right position at the right time. To have this kind of success so fast is a miracle in a way and I'm not letting it inflate my ego because of that. I suppose it would be easy to let myself get caught up in all the fuss and become completely obsessed with my image.'

There have been reports that you have a big rivalry with Paris Hilton. Is that true?
'No. It's so ridiculous. I've met Paris Hilton once. I've seen her out but there's no way you haven't seen Paris Hilton if you're in this business - she's everywhere. The one time that we met, Paris and I were at a party and we were playing on the lawn and chasing each other, calling each other silly names. Someone overheard us and blabbed that we were in a real fight. It's all so ridiculous.'

The popular impression of you is that you're the product of a very jet-setting and glamorous family. How much truth is there in that?
'That's a big exaggeration. I grew up middle-class although I did get to travel a lot and that gave me a much broader outlook on the world than I would have if I had just lived in one place all my life. The best thing about my upbringing is that I have very intelligent and dynamic parents who gave me as great an education at home beyond anything I learnt at school. I don't think I would have been able to handle a lot of the pressure I've had to deal with lately if I hadn't had the kind of grounding and support that I got from my parents.'

Hollywood is known for being very predatory when it comes to hot young actresses, how do you handle the men?
'I've been pretty careful and not rushed into big romances. I've also found out that it can be kind of complicated to date because people are so conscious of who you are and whether you're successful or not. Sometimes men are scared of me. It's like you've turned into this TV icon and people are unsure or afraid to approach you because they think you're off limits or ready to blow them away. I don't know. It's weird.'

We know that you don't want to talk about your current relationship (Mischa is dating Whitestarr rocker Cisco Alder). But can you tell us what you look for in a man?
'I'm not one of those girls who likes bad boys who are going to treat me in this cool and tough way and then expect me to chase after them. I've always believed that a man should respect you and be nice and be sweet. When I'm going out with someone, I don't want to feel that I need to put on an act. I want to feel comfortable and secure that I can be myself - a little silly or playful or whatever. I need to feel that kind of closeness and freedom.'