Taryn Manning's Crazy/Beautiful

Young, wild, crazy, and beautiful is how actress Taryn Manning comes across on screen in the new Disney high school saga, Crazy/Beautiful. Cast as Kirsten Dunst's best friend, the two girls play high school seniors more concerned with drinking than they are with academics. "I think it's a little differe nt than the normal young movie," Manning opines.

Originally from Tuscon, Arizona, Manning relocated to Southern California when she was 12. "I was a lot like my character in some [ways]," the 22-year-old actress confesses, "except that I was dancing every day after school for eight hours-although I definitely had my share of partying and being crazy." Mannin g admits that she's always wanted to entertain. "I started off singing and dancing. It's all that I do and all that I wanted to do."

Out of control onscreen, Manning stars opposite newcomer Jay Hernandez who is quickly taking Hollywood by storm. "He got discovered and happened to be very sincere and really good at what he does," Manning sta tes. "He happens to be a really cool guy. He's definitely a star in the making. He's the whole talk of t his movie."

In addition to Crazy/Beautiful, Manning has two other high profile projects due in theaters in the months to come. She recently wrapped production on That's What Friends Are For which stars Britney Spears. Working with Spears, a mega pop star but a novice actress, Manning admits the singer held her own. "I definitely felt like I could offer her support if she needed it, but she was very natural and didn't need that much help at all. I'm not really one to give another actor direction. I'm there to do my job, and if they do theirs, it makes it a lot easier."

Manning will also be seen next year in David Mamet's White Oleander, opposite Michelle Pfeiffer, Renee Zellweger, and Robin Wright Penn. "That was an awesome experience," she enthuses.

The daughter of a musician, Manning often went to bars at an early age to watch her fater perform at n ight. These days she and her brother are in the local band Boomkat. "We play at local bars just for fun, " Manning explains. "It's trip-hop, hip-hop and pop. A year ago I was struggling and wondering if it was ever going to happen for me. And that's basically when I started focusing on my music and going, 'I hav e to have something that's going to make me happy.'"

Determined to sing and act, Manning is looking forward to the future. "I don't think I'm at a place yet where people are going to say 'Here's a part for you, Taryn. I think I still have a lot to prove to peo ple. I just need to pound the pavement. I feel reall lucky that I've landed these major roles, but for now I'm going to rehearse with my band and try to get another part."