Ian Somerhalder isn't just another pretty face trying to make it in Hollywood. Sure, the model-turned-actor has a perfect jaw line and crystal blue eyes that would make any girl melt--but there's more to him than good genes. The ex Guess? model can quote German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche ("I'm rereading his books now," Ian says), and recently finished writing a screenplay that pokes fun at his former profession. "It's about the ugly sides of the fashion and beauty worlds that people don't get to see," says Mandeville, Louisiana, native. Ian also starred in the WB's short-lived TV series Young Americans and just wrapped up the independent film Colored Eggs with Faye Dunaway and Lauren Holly. Next up, the 23-year-old plays a gay socialite who falls for straight guy Sean, played by James Van Der Beek (gee, what would Dawson say?) in the sex-and-drug-filled dark comedy Rules of Attraction (due out this fall). Ian didn't even think twice about accepting the role. "I'm comfortable with my sexuality, so it didn't matter," he says. His love life, on the other hand, hasn't been easy lately: Ian split from his longtime/long-distance NYC girlfriend earlier this year and shed 10 pounds in the process. But these days Ian is enjoying single life--he does yoga (a practice he got from his mom), and goes hiking near his Los Angeles home. "I get my peace and happiness by walking in the mountains by myself," he says. "And now I don't have to tell anyone where I'm going." He's even learned to whip up French, Italian and Creole cuisine. We bet he'll be a model boyfriend again soon enough.

Seventeen's May It Boy Ian Somerhalder is a yoga-lovin' former model with good taste in men - in Rules of Attraction, his movie due out this fall, he falls in love with James Van Der Beek! (Ok, for us, that wouldn't even take any acting skills, but in Ian's case it did.) Here's more from Ian.