‘Vampire Diaries’ Star Nina Dobrev Talks ‘Perks Of Being A Wallflower’

FanBolt recently had the chance to sit down with the beautiful Nina Dobrev here in Atlanta. The starlet was taking a break from filming The Vampire Diaries to promote her newest flick The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Dobrev met with fans in Atlanta on Saturday, September 15th at Barnes and Noble. She signed copies of the latest issue of Seventeen magazine (which Dobrev graces the cover of), and after the signing, fans were treated to an exclusive screening of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Before the screening though, we were able to grab her for a few short minutes. Check out our interview with her below!

This movie meant so much to so many growing up. Were you familiar with it?

Nina Dobrev: I read the script first. I had not read the book. All of my friends thought I was insane for having not read the book yet, because – like you said – they were so personally affected by it. It really is a very moving and powerful book. It was such a treat to be able to work on this project and meet the novelist. Stephen (Stephen Chbosky) is such a special person, and I’m not just saying that to say it. He’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Right before we flew in for the LA premiere, he wrote us all emails and just said what a pleasure it was to work with us and how special it was to him. He asked us to get together for one last drink, and he said “For now this movie is ours and soon it will be everyone’s, so let’s have this one last moment together.”

Did you have a normal high school experience?

Nina Dobrev: I did. I went to a preforming arts high school in Toronto, and it wasn’t until half way through that I started working. So I had a pretty normal experience for the first little bit. I got to go to prom. [Laughs] That’s the main part.

How do you think you would have handled being in Charlie’s shoes? What would your advice be for teenagers having a difficult time with high school?

Nina Dobrev: I don’t know. I haven’t thought about this, because I had a pretty good high school experience. I tend to immerse myself in things to do, so I played a lot of sports. You always have to keep yourself busy if you’re not having a good time. If you want to make friends, I feel like the best way is to go to functions. Like when going through a breakup, keep yourself busy. Read, go out, go to yoga, just be constantly doing things – it keeps your mind occupied. That’s the best way to cope and deal for me.

What do you think it is about this book that has made it mean so much to so many people and made it resonate across so many generations?

Nina Dobrev: I think it’s because people have the same issues no matter what day and time it is. People are dealing with abuse, and people are dealing with drugs… no matter what kind of issue it is… The story transcends time. Everyone has a coming of age story. Everyone goes through high school. Everyone feels love and pain and heartache…. laughter and good times and bad times. The great thing about this movie is that it makes you realize that everyone is kind of the same. Even when you feel like you’re the only one going through it at the time – everyone has at one point or another. One of my favorite lines is the misfit toys line. We’re all kind of misfit toys, and there’s more of us than there are the jocks and the cheerleaders – as depicted generally in Hollywood.

You auditioned for this movie via Skype correct? How was that?

Nina Dobrev: Yea. It’s kinda like being on set. I do a lot of things on tape. It’s just like being behind a camera. It’s actually easier, because when you’re in an audition room, it’s nerve-racking. There’s people watching you. It just takes the edge off I think.

You tend to play a lot of characters that, for better or for worse, get put through the ringer. From this project, to Vampire Diaries, to your character in Degrassi. Do you ever want to play a less emotionally intense character?

Nina Dobrev: I really like doing it, because it poses a challenge. I constantly want to be doing new things, and things that make me go places that I wouldn’t normally. So I actually really enjoy it. But at the same time, do I want to do an action movie where all I do is shoot guns and take names? Yes.

What are your favorite Atlanta hangouts?

Nina Dobrev: I love and hate this question, because if I tell you I can’t go there anymore. So I’ll only tell you the places I’m not going to go anymore. [Laughs] Well I go to Piedmont Park a lot, because it’s so big. It’s still okay. We went to Ormsby’s for my birthday last year. I love Little 5 Points, and I love Empire State South for brunch. Oh, and R. Thomas, a 24 hour healthy joint. They have parrots. I always try to get them to talk to me, but they never will. In fact, one of them gave me attitude once. I kept saying, “Say hello. Hello. Hello. Hello.” And after 10 minutes of me just saying hello, he just said, “Good Bye.”

That’s all he would say to me. [Laughs] He just wanted to get rid of me.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower hits theaters this Friday, September 28th! Be sure to check it out – you won’t be disappointed!

Interview By: Emma Loggins
Photo Credit: Prince Williams/atlpics.net

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Responses

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  1. Great Interview! I really like Stephen Chbosky, he’s such a great person. Completely agree with Nina on keeping busy yourself from all the negative thoughts, its probably the best advice one should consider.

    Anyway, you are so lucky to have watched the move! I have been waiting for ages for the it to come out. But, unfortunately this movie isn’t coming out here this month.

  2. I know it’s in limited release – if it doesn’t make it to a theater near you – definitely get the DVD when it comes out. It’s a must-have. 🙂 I’m glad you liked the interview, I have one coming tomorrow with Stephen. He was such a pleasure to interview, and I’d go so far as to say one of my all time favorite interviews – he’s just such a great guy and fantastic writer.

  3. Oh and I also agree on Nina’s advice – Anytime you’re not happy with something – keeping yourself distracted with other activities to enrich yourself is definitely the way to go. I think that’s the best advice you can give.

  4. @Emma, I am positive that the movie will be releasing here, I have seen several promotions from the ‘Tanveer Group’ online, i just hope they don’t sensor it too much at the cinema. which is the reason i skip watching certain movies here.
    And wow! You have interviewed about more than 300 celebrities so, I certainly will be looking forward to that 🙂