Blake Lively: The Anti-Gossip Girl

Blake Lively: Allure's May cover girl. - Michael Thompson/AllureBlake Lively was raised in sunny Burbank, California. In high school, she was an AP student, class president, a member of her school's choir, and a cheerleader. That's why it's so ironic that the all-American girl now portrays Serena van der Woodsen, a jaded NYC socialite on "Gossip Girl." In Allure's May issue, the 21-year-old actress reveals that while she does enjoy some of the superficial things that surround her character -- like Chanel handbags -- she'd never want Serena's life.

See Behind-the-Scenes Photos From Blake's Allure Cover Shoot

... On Why She Feels Like a Tranny Most of the Time
"I feel like a tranny a lot of the time. I don't know, I'm ... large? They put me in six inch heels, and I tower over every man. I've got this long hair and lots of clothes and makeup on. I just feel really big a lot of the time, and I'm surrounded by a lot of tiny people. I feel like a man sometimes."

... On Her Image As a Blonde Fashion Queen
"I'm blonde, and I have a small dog, so I try to avoid looking like a piece of bubble gum."

The "Gossip Girl" rocks a purple rayon dress by Alexander Wang, a gold plate cuff by Alexis Bittar, and a brass …

... On Being Quiet About Her Relationship With Costar Penn Badgley
"You see people who will open up their relationships, who are very affectionate on the red carpet or are doing a reality show with each other, and their relationship just seems to crumble, so I decided to keep a vow of silence."

... On What She Will Say About Penn
"He plays any instrument he picks up. He bought a piano, and then two months later you would think he was a concert pianist.

To read Blake's complete interview, pick up the May issue of Allure, on newsstands April 21.