Troian Bellisario Interview - JustJared.com Exclusive!

Troian Bellisario rocks camouflage in this pic from her recent WIGS webseries, Lauren.

In the YouTube scripted drama, the 26-year-old Pretty Little Liars actress takes on the role of a young mother who is assaulted by her fellow soldiers and reports the attack to her commanding officer.

Click inside to read JustJared.com‘s exclusive interview with Troian…

JJ: We love you in Lauren! What drew you to the script?
TB: I was drawn to the script immediately, but for many different reasons. It was so well written, Jay Rodan did a wonderful job. The characters were well defined and layered; you never have a one-dimentional role in any of the three episodes. I was also drawn to the story because it made me aware of an issue that I really had no idea about. I really believe that when taking on a new role, you, as an actor are expanding yourself. You are learning more about another human being’s experience in the world and with Lauren, my eyes were opened to a very different world, and also a very tragic one.

JJ: The storyline is really intense. Were you nervous at all to tackle the role?
TB: I wanted to do justice to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our country. I wanted to honor them, but I also wanted to honor the women (and men) who had been silenced. There are so many American soldiers who have gone through sexual harassment and assault and have not had justice, who still have not found peace. I’m not even sure how one does after such a trauma. So I was nervous because although Lauren wasn’t a true story it is based on very very real events.

JJ: Was it fun to branch out from your PLL character Spencer?
TB: Yes, I had a blast.

JJ: We saw that Lucy Hale tweeted a really sweet message about you and the webseries. Are you guys pretty good friends off set as well?
TB: Yes, we are. The four of us are really lucky to call each other very very good friends. I love those girls. PLL is like my family. I see them every day for nine months out of the year. Truthfully I don’t think we hang out that much off set because we need that time to see our real family, our friends who can’t be on set with us everyday.

JJ: Have you ever been caught in any weird scenarios or lies, like Spencer and the girls on PLL?
TB: Nothing like what Spencer gets herself into, but I have definitely been caught in a lie. It’s the worst. I get pretty nauseated.

JJ: Your character on Lauren seems to be more of tomboy and your character on PLL is more preppy. Were you more of a girly-girl growing up, or a guy’s girl?
TB: I was definitely a tomboy. My mother liked to dress me differently, but it was her loss when I came home with mud in my hair every day. I’ve always been more comfortable with guys, I don’t know why. But I have always had one best girl friend, and no one gets closer than her.

JJJ: Did you ever have a friend in high school that was similar to Ali?
TB: Yeah, I did. She was actually a really sweet girl, but I think she just got her way and found her power in being a woman much earlier than myself and my other friends. So she would boss us around and kind of emotionally blackmail us. I think it actually worked to her disadvantage, she was so adult before any of us, I think she went through a lot of sadness because of it. As I imagine Ali did on the show.

JJ: You’ve been exposed to the industry since you were little. Is it true that you lived across the street from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as a child?
TB: Yes.

JJ: Do you have any fun childhood memories with them?
TB: Yeah loads. They’re beautiful awesome girls.

JJ: Each year, the storyline for the Halloween episode of PLL is amazing! Can you give readers a hint about what they can expect?
TB: We already wrapped filming it actually. It was a blast, but more work than any other episode that has come before I might say. We really raised the bar with this one and I think the fans are going to like it… a lot. A hint? We have never had this many gotcha moments, so hold on tight.