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This is just way too Hollywood. Ian Somerhalder-undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous up-and-coming young actors working today-is talking to me from his cell phone while he drives down Sunset Boulevard in L.A., on his way to the studio. You can just see the palm trees rushing by, the smog hanging in the afternoon sunshine, the wind in his tousled hair, the sunlight on his skin, the glint of his smile... Well, you get the idea.

Or you will, because this dazzling talent is set to make a very big impression with his breakout role in the new film The Rules of Attraction, out next week. Based on the 1987 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, the movie tells the story of three college students all chasing after love, truth, sex, parties, a good time, validation and each other on their tony New England college campus. Somerhalder plays the dapper and deluded Paul, who pursues sexy rebel Sean (played by a surprisingly edgy James Van Der Beek), who is trying to decide if he's hot for Lauren (played by Shannyn Sossamon-another killer breakout performance), who used to date Paul. Director Roger Avary has created a film which is dark and not totally easy to like, but it's exquisitely well-made and visually stunning-thanks in part to a talented young cast filled out by comely kids like Jessica Biel, Kip Pardue and Thomas Ian Nicholas. And Somerhalder's characterization of the vain and romantically blindsided gay co-ed may seem more than just a little familiar to those of us who've loved and lusted in vain, especially after too many trips to the keg. But far from being a wet whining noodle, Paul is nuanced with layers of snarky cynicism, quick wit, and beguiling ballsiness.
Somerhalder himself is less of a lost boy. The straight ex-model who now splits his time between New York and L.A. has played just about every color of the sexual spectrum. He appeared as one of Matthew Shepherd's homophobic killers of in MTV's Anatomy of a Hate Crime, as the sleazoid who pimped out his cute pal Hayden Christensen in Life as a House earlier this year, and as a sexually confused teen pining after a girl he thought was a guy on the short-lived Young Americans TV series. And through it all, Somerhalder seems to know himself terribly well. And he's not afraid to speak candidly about any of it. He dished with us about kissing James Van Der Beek, co-starring with Faye Dunaway (who plays his mom in Rules) and about stripping down onscreen.

First of all, since you're a former model-what are you wearing?
Let's see... I've got on a pair of Prada pants and a ripped up vintage shirt.

Very nice. Your character Paul would approve.
Yes, he would.

And I approved of Paul. So often gay characters are too apologetic or endearing. But I loved when Paul said, "I liked Sean... because he looked slutty." Did that make him fun to play ?
Yeah, it did. It was really fun to make this movie. But here's the thing: I'm straight, so to play a gay character is a challenge, and why wouldn't you go after a challenge? With any role you make a conscious effort to think things and do things you yourself wouldn¹t normally do. That's what was challenging about it and that's what was kind of wonderful.

And why is Paul interested in Sean-aside from the fact that he's James Van Der Beek? Because Sean is so not going to return his affections...
Well, Paul doesn't know that. There are so many double-entendres, so many miscommunicated moments. Like the scene at the party when they're both standing at the keg...

When Paul tells Sean he's got a case of beer back in his room?
Right. They sort of talk, but "a case of beer" means different things to them. There are just so many points when Paul misunderstands and Sean misunderstands. Actually in the book, Sean and Paul do have an affair.

But in the movie it's like they're doing a really well-orchestrated dance, but not quite connecting.
Exactly. That was the dynamic that was set up, and it was cool, but frustrating at times, too. Because I would think to myself, "No, you moron, he doesn't really mean that!" But Paul consistently sets himself up for that sort of disappointment. Maybe it's his naiveté or sheer stupidity or the intensity of the drugs and the hormones and the need to just belong. You put all that together and you have one hell of a cocktail.

And you have your kissing scene with James Van Der Beek...
You know, it's funny... Thinking back about specifics-a lot of time you don't remember what actually happened in a scene. It goes by so quickly. You don't know the choices you've made until you watch the movie. That scene, I just remember it being very scratchy and uncomfortable. My face felt raw. I have a newfound respect for women because that shit hurts!

And hello-hopefully a newfound respect for gay men! That's double scratchy!
It's like Velcro, you know. Nothing but burn!

You also have a sexy scene with Russell Sams, where the two of you are jumping and dancing on hotel beds together to George Michael's "Faith." That's a hot, energetic scene. How was that to shoot?
That was unbelievable. The scene was not scripted at all. We were shooting at the Ritz-Carlton, and I'd just shot this scene in my underwear and I was getting ready to leave and the director, Roger Avary, is all, "Don't leave! There's a scene I wanna shoot." So, I ask for the pages for it, and he says "There are no pages. I want you and Russell to strip on the bed." I'm like, "Yeah right!" But Roger says, " Trust me. Just do it! Strip on the fucking bed!" And right as he says that, these two huge speakers roll in and all of a sudden you hear that fucking song came on, and yeah-we just went for it.

You've played practically every side of the sexuality issue. Why do you keep getting these provocative roles?
What I've come to realize is that everything in life-film, theater, music, and just life-all deal with sex and sexuality. All of it-everything. The cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the food we eat-everything is somehow predicated or somehow related to sexuality. There's no other way to describe it. Like in Life As A House, I'm pimping this kid out. It just always plays a factor in what we do.

But why do you keep getting put in these roles?
When it comes to sexuality, I'm fearless. I really don't care. I know what I am. And if you're comfortable with that, you can pretty much do anything and get away with it.

Now, if you were going to fall in love with a guy would James Van Der Beek be a good candidate?
[Laughs.] That's one fucked-up question, buddy. That was structured really well. Um, you know what? I'll say this... James is a very giving, great individual. He's a passionate man, a good guy, and smart. He's a very giving actor on and off screen.

Faye Dunaway had nice things to say about you after starring with you in this film. What was it like working with her?
She's so awesome. Everyone says all these things about her. All I know is that Faye and I have a very specific relationship. She played my mom in this and she has a son about my age, so I think there was a connection within that. And with regard to acting, she really brought it home about how it's not about the hype. It's simply about what you do in front of the camera. People get a little scared of her and stand in her way when she's trying to do the best job she can. And if you do that, she will squash you like a bug.

But you didn't get squashed!
No! I love her for all the right reasons. She's a legend. She thinks of me as a son, but she's not gonna really yell at me like she does him.

This movie may make you a pin-up among the gay crowd. How does that feel?
You know, after the first two episodes of Young Americans I got 47,000 emails, mostly from guys in San Francisco. I've always been somehow a part of that world, so I don't think twice about it.

Back to Paul, are there any common qualities that you guys share?
Just his sincerity. How he feels things a lot. Sean doesn't feel shit. Lauren just kind of feels. But Paul is the only one who really, truly feels.

And he'd probably love your Prada pants.
[laughs] Exactly! They're great!