BECKI NEWTON

I've learned there's nothing wrong with being a little fussy. I used to pride myself on being low-maintenance - I wore it like a badge of honor.

When I read the 'Ugly Betty' pilot, I thought, 'Oh, this part's funny.' I said to my husband, 'I'm going to get it!' But based on what? All my exquisite comedic work in a Nike commercial?

When I think of the most beautiful women, they're not supermodels.

I'm not cut out to be a detective on 'Law & Order' - I laugh too easily.

I really enjoy playing a sex symbol, but it's not something I feel in real life. I'm much more of a natural girl at home.

As an actress, one of the perks is having access to ridiculously expensive clothing and prancing around on the red carpet. Who wouldn't want to have fun with that?

I've learned through experience that you can't ever predict what's going to happen with any show. When I signed on to 'Ugly Betty,' I just prayed that I wouldn't get fired after the pilot, and four years later, I was still doing it.

I have a degree in European history, which didn't necessarily have any direct impact on my career, but I'm grateful I studied something other than acting in college.

I read fashion magazines all the time. It's fun, but I don't take it very seriously.

I started out a die-hard New Yorker but really grew to love working in Los Angeles. Even though I originally wanted to do theater, TV presented more opportunities for me, which led me out west.

As an actress, one of the perks is having access to ridiculously expensive clothing and prancing around on the red carpet. Who wouldn't want to have fun with that?

I'd have loved to have appeared in 'Absolutely Fabulous' - that's one of my favourite shows.

I read fashion magazines all the time. It's fun, but I don't take it very seriously.

I've learned through experience that you can't ever predict what's going to happen with any show. When I signed on to 'Ugly Betty,' I just prayed that I wouldn't get fired after the pilot, and four years later, I was still doing it.

I do tell people when I'm walking down the street that they should really rethink their whole outfit.

I've managed to get some beautiful bags. I have a great collection, and so does my mother. My favourite is a purple one by Gucci, which I take everywhere!

When I think of the most beautiful women, they're not supermodels.

I'm not afraid to go completely over the top. A lot of people are scared to seem silly or to embarrass themselves, and I really don't have that at all - I don't mind making a fool of myself. I like to just have fun and really go for it.

I've learned there's nothing wrong with being a little fussy. I used to pride myself on being low-maintenance - I wore it like a badge of honor.

Normally, it's one or the other - a pretty, straight woman or a more charactery woman who isn't supposed to be attractive. But women like Tina Fey are leading the charge on being both. You can be funny and attractive.

I keep my perfume in the fridge. If someone sees me in the morning pushing aside the eggs to grab my perfume, it might look a little odd, but it's so refreshing to spray cold fragrance on your skin.

My husband is in charge of all phone, email and texting duties at home. He even has to turn on the TV and air conditioning because I'm so hopeless with technology.

After leaving school, I travelled around Europe for about six months. In Denmark, I thought that was my chance to get an amazing haircut, so I went to what I thought was a great hairdresser. It turned out to be the car wash of hairdressers, and I walked out sporting yet another pudding bowl, but this time with a stripe bleached down the centre.

I'm not cut out to be a detective on 'Law & Order' - I laugh too easily.

I really enjoy playing a sex symbol, but it's not something I feel in real life. I'm much more of a natural girl at home.

Glamour is fun! Spending time to get ready isn't about being fussy; it's about taking care of myself.

I'm blessed that I can leave it to the pros at work and red-carpet events, because I can't say I'm adept. Still, I'm definitely not afraid to take chances when it comes to beauty.

I would say to an actor new to the business that it's best to go where you are most comfortable as a person, both in and outside of the business.

When I read the 'Ugly Betty' pilot, I thought, 'Oh, this part's funny.' I said to my husband, 'I'm going to get it!' But based on what? All my exquisite comedic work in a Nike commercial?

Growing up, I had a terrible pudding-bowl haircut. I used to cut it myself, and I'd sew my own clothing, too. I looked a little strange compared to the other kids. But the thing was, I felt I looked amazing, so what other people thought never bothered me.

I started out a die-hard New Yorker but really grew to love working in Los Angeles. Even though I originally wanted to do theater, TV presented more opportunities for me, which led me out west.

I'm always looking for that sense of fun and adventure and even unlikeability. I don't want to be the obvious leading lady. I have the most fun playing these girls who are a little damaged and maybe a little insecure and trying to overcompensate for it.

In N.Y.C., I auditioned for mostly 'quirky friend' roles. Since casting directors in L.A. lacked a preconceived notion of me, I was able to reinvent my type a bit, which was essential in booking the role of Amanda on 'Ugly Betty.' I don't believe I would have auditioned for that role in N.Y.

I have a degree in European history, which didn't necessarily have any direct impact on my career, but I'm grateful I studied something other than acting in college.