CLAIM TO FAME

This 20-year-old Canadian actress adds heart (and male fans) to the WB's hit drama Smallville as orphan Lana Lang, not-so-secret crush of young Clark Kent, the future Superman.

CURRENT ROLES

Recently wrapped up the second season of Smallville, where other worldly chaos is as common as the cornstalks. And she simultaneously stars on the Canadian TV series Edgemont, as Laurel, a sophisticated newcomer who complicates the high-school romance between a regular guy and his wholesome girlfriend. (Conveniently, both shows are shot in Vancouver.) She also displays her flawless complexion in ads for Neutrogena cosmetics.

MIRRIR, MIRROR...

Shined as the Fairest of Them All in last year's TV movie Snow White. To play the princess, Kreuk perfected her pallor by avoiding the sun.

BEGINNINGS

Born December 30, 1982, in Vancouver, Canada, to landscape architects Peter (who's of Dutch descent) and Deanna (who's Chinese). Shy and studious, she performed in gymnastics and school plays, but planned to devote herself to science in college. Just as she was applying, her drama teacher urged her to attend an open casting call for an "exotic" girl on Edgemont. The supergirl landed the lead - in her first pro acting gig. A few years later, on her first visit to L.A. she scored Smallville. To get her up to speed on the Man of Steel, producers presented her with a "textbook" on the history of the comic-book hero.

NEXT UP

Will continue to reside in Smallville, but she hopes the future holds edgier roles that match her self-described "bitter, cynical" side.

ROLE MODEL

This self-described "boring" bookworm doesn't smoke, drink, or "get into trouble." Perhaps it's her upbringing: Forbidden to wear makeup or date till she turned 16, her folks made it clear that "Any grade at school under a B was a disaster." She was, however, allowed to dye her hair purple for a while.

LETTER PERFECT

Just before starting Smallville, Kreuk opened a letter she had written herself back in eight grade. "Kristin," it read, "I hope you're an actress right now." 

Article Transcribed by Maria.