American Pie: Reunion‘s Katrina Bowden

Status Update
HOMETOWN: Wyckoff, New Jersey.
BIRTHDAY: September 19, 1988.

GUILTY PLEASURES: “I have a lot of cheesy rap songs on my iPod. And Britney Spears.”
SECRET TALENT: “Really good reflexes. Like, I’m good at catching things really fast.”
TO IMPRESS A GUY: “I cook a roast chicken with rosemary, thyme, onions, carrots, and celery.”
SEXIEST WORDS: “I’ll do the dishes.”

You started off as a model. How did you make the transition from striking poses to starring on 30 Rock?
I auditioned for the part of Cerie when I was about 16, which was a little bit young for the character, so they shot the pilot with a different girl. But when NBC picked it up a year later, I was old enough and they recast it.

It must have been pretty crazy having your first gig on a big show like that.
It was really exciting! I got the part and then had to go to a table read, like, two days later. But I got lost going to the studio, and when I finally got there I was 10 minutes late. I barge into the room, and I’m standing there like a deer in the headlights and everyone is waiting for me. Finally, Tracy Morgan goes, “Don’t just stand there looking beautiful. Come sit down here next to me!”

That must have been a relief.
Yeah. Everyone started laughing, and I just took a deep breath and said, “OK, cool. Everything is going to be all right.” Everyone knew how young I was, so they were really sweet. I mean, it was a little intimidating at first, but they all just treated me like their little sister.

In one of your first episodes, you tell Tina Fey, “Career-wise, I’m just gonna marry rich and design handbags.” We assume those aren’t actually your career goals?
Definitely not! I really love comedy, so I want to keep doing that, but I also want to do something a little darker. Maybe play a villain or star in a superhero movie.

You’re in Nurse 3D, which is out later this year. That looks pretty dark.
Yeah, it’s definitely different from what I’ve done. It’s kind of like Dexter meets Single White Female. Paz de la Huerta and I are both nurses. But she’s a serial killer, and she kind of becomes obsessed with me.

We can see why! What about American Pie: Reunion? Did you grow up watching the American Pie movies?
Well, I was a little young when the first one came out, so I wasn’t allowed to see it. But I do feel like I grew up with it.

What was it like stepping into a reunion? Surely Stifler was nice to you?
Basically, all the guys just turned into teenage boys once they got back together: burping, farting, and just laughing about gross things.

You look ridiculously hot in these photos. Is it true you take pole-dancing classes to stay in shape?
Who told you that?! Um, it’s a good workout. I also kickbox, and I’m pretty good.

You went to Catholic school. Did you girls dress like Britney in “…Baby One More Time”?
Ha-ha! Well, we had the kilts, which a lot of the girls would roll up to make shorter, and the knee-high socks and white blouses. But our outfits were not as cute as Britney’s.

You must have had the chance to meet a lot of cool guest stars on 30 Rock. Any highlights?
It was really cool to meet Jennifer Aniston. She was so down-to-earth and normal and beautiful in real life. God, we’ve had so many. Oh! Bon Jovi!

That’s the Jersey girl in you. So: Jon Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra or Bruce Springsteen?
Definitely Bon Jovi! That’s more my generation. When he was on the show, we were talking, and Tina walks up and is like, “So are you guys talking about Jersey?” And we’re like, “Yes. Yes, we are.”