Magazine: So, what have you been up to today?
Michelle: I've just come off the Buffy The Vampire Slayer set, actually. We're shooting episode 16 of season 6 at the moment, and no, I can't tell you what happens!
Magazine: Ooh, exciting! So what was your first TV role, then?
Michelle: It was in a show called 'Law And Order' when I was five years old- I had a very small part! Then when I was eight I did 'Clarissa Explains It All' with Melissa Joan Hart who's now in 'Sabrina The Teenage Witch'. I started work when I was three, doing adverts and magazine modelling.
Magazine: Did you watch Buffy before you got the part?
Michelle: I did. I was a big fan of the show- on the first day I already knew every set! I always told my agent that if a role came up in Buffy, I'd be first in the queue. Then I heard about the part of Dawn Summers and went to audition for all the producers- they obviously liked what I did.
Magazine: What's Sarah Michelle Gellar really like?
Michelle: She's great and so down to earth! I've known her for eight years now cos we were in the US soap 'All My Children' together. She's always looking out for me. When I first arrived on the set she introduced me to everyone. They're such a tight group I was a little worried that they wouldn't be interested in me. But it was cool knowing her- eveybody accepted me so easily. She's just like my older sister on set. If I ever have a cold she brings me tea and throat sweet and makes me feel better.
Magazine: Who's the biggest prankster on set?
Michelle: The joker's always either Nicholas Brendon (Xander) or Alyson Hannigan (Willow). They pull jokes on the rest of us, like tripping someone up or putting something on their seat when they sit down. But we're all always making fun of each other. If there ever was a show of Buffy out-takes, you'd never stop laughing. It'd be absolutely hysterical.
Magazine: So, what's in store for Dawn?
Michelle: Well, this season's pretty much about Dawn maturing- and getting more rebellious! So boys are definately coming into the picture for the first time. And there's an episode where I deal with a vampire, which is pretty interesting because of that. I can't say why though. I've been sworn to secrecy, sorry!
Magazine: Do you believe in vampires?
Michelle: Yes, I believe there are things out there that we don't now about- like vampires and ghosts. I've never met a real one yet, though...
Magazine: Has anything spooky ever happened to you?
Michelle: When I was promoting the movie 'Harriet The Spy' in 1996, I stayed in a hotel in Florida where a ghost was haunting all the rooms. One night it decided mine was next. It turned on all the lights and opened all the cupboards-eek! It was pretty freaky.
Magazine: That sounds scary...
Michelle: Yeah, but I kinda like to be scared! I'm really interested in spooky stuff, so when the Discovery Channel asked me if I'd like to present their new show 'Truth Or Scare', I totally jumped at the chance. It's all about the truth behind scary stories from all over the world. It's gonna be great.
Magazine: So, who'd you make a vampire if you were one?
Michelle: It would have to be all my family- we're really close. And as I'm sure all good Buffy fans know- vampires are immortal and I'd be sad if I had to watch my folks getting older while I stayed the same age. And to spend eternity without them would be horrible.
Magazine: Do you have a crush on Nicholas Brendon (Xander) like Dawn does?
Michelle: No! I think Nicky's great- he's the coolest guy. But I think of him more as a brother.
Magazine: What's the nastiest thing that's ever happened at school?
Michelle: I don't get into trouble often but my friend did for not wearing the regulation uniform which is bad if you go to a private school like us. I felt so awful for her that I went to talk to the headteacher to tell him that she shouldn't get into trouble. Going to see him was pretty scary.
Magazine: Do you wish you could be the main character in the show?
Michelle: No, I'd never want Sarah to go. She plays Buffy so brilliantly and she's great to have on set. I love this role and if it ever came to a point where the producers wanted to do something more with Dawn, I wouldn't be against it. But right now the show's still called Buffy and that's it.
Magazine: What are you afraid of?
Michelle: Spiders- they make my skin crawl. Oh, injections too. I hate needles. They freak me out.
Magazine: What's the biggest mess-up that you've ever made on TV?
Michelle: One time on Buffy I had this really hard tounge-twister to say. I can't even remember what it was now, but I never thought I'd be able to say it. It took me loads of takes to finally get it right.