Emma Roberts is "Screaming"!

Suffice it to say that the Emma Roberts in Scream4 isn’t your pristine little Nancy Drew. Although, the now blonde actress looks all sweet and girly in pastels and satin for our interview, in the horror film, she is a brunette who is kicking booty and takin’ names!

Since her days as “Nancy”, Emma has been the queen of a lot of successful (or critically-acclaimed) indie films like It’s Kind of a Funny Story. She also went more mainstream with the canine comedy Hotel for Dogs and the ensemble rom/com Valentine’s Day. But, a horror film? Never…until now. When you see the film, you’ll know why.

At a trendy hotel on the Sunset Strip, we sat down for a galchat with Emma who was tired of being dressed up all day, kicked off her shoes and told us “Sorry, but I’m totally taking out my weave” as she fiddled with her flowing hair in the back, pulled out a hunk, then quickly pinned her own hair up in a cute “do”.

We’re talking dating, bad-tasting “blood”, fun off set, music, fashion and way more!

TeenHollywood: Have to ask. Do blondes have more fun? Have you noticed that guys treat you differently?

Emma: They do! With guys I think being blonde is more fun.

TeenHollywood: How was working with original Scream cast member Neve Campbell and did she give you any horror movie tips or advice in general?

Emma: Neve is amazing! She’s just one of those people who is so genuine and so there for you as an actor. She never pulled me aside and gave me advice but she was always there for me in a scene and said “Why don’t you try it like this?” along those lines, which was very nice I thought.

TeenHollywood: Do you have a scary movie rule you would like to add now that you’ve been in one like never say” I’ll be right back”.. that kind of thing?

Emma: You never ever say “I’ll be right back”.  Never, ever! You just don’t say anything because anything you say is going to be your last words.

TeenHollywood: I assume you’ve seen at least the first Scream movie. How did you react?

Emma: I was too young to see it when it came out in theaters, but I saw the original when I was a teenager when all my friends were obsessed with watching scary movies. This was one of the first few I saw and I remember thinking that it was probably the scariest because, out of all the horror movies of my generation, I think this is the most real, the most plausible and that's why it's so freaky. It was definitely creepy.

TeenHollywood: This movie is really tense but it is also funny and a lot of fun. Who was the big jokester/prankster on set.

Emma: I think we were all just always laughing. We all had a fun time together. By the time it’s month three and you’ve been in Michigan for three months you can’t help but be making light of everything.

TeenHollywood: Did you get to hang out off set at all with any cast members and, if so, what did you do?

Emma: We went to restaurants, out to eat, we hung out. We did normal stuff you would do as a young person in the summer. We had the best time. It was one of those things where I went into it not knowing anything or having any expectations and being like “Whatever happens, happens” and I ended up having a fabulous time.

TeenHollywood: So no division between the veteran cast of the original movies and the newer cast?

Emma: No. Everyone hung out together. David (Arquette) and Courteney (Cox) would have us over and cook for us. Neve would always be inviting us to hang out Sunday afternoons at her house. Hayden (Panettiere) and I would get everyone together to go out so it was fun.

TeenHollywood: You’ve seen scary movies but what was the biggest surprise to you about being in one?

Emma: That the fake blood smells like maple syrup! It smells delicious so I tasted it and it tastes really bad. So don’t try to taste the fake blood!

TeenHollywood: You get to do some action sequences in this movie. Was that new for you and did you like it?

Emma: Yeah. I'd love to do more action roles. I'm not very athletic. I always played girl sports so this was definitely, as far as the physical aspect of it, difficult. I've never been able to really run convincingly. So I had to learn how to do that in this movie.

TeenHollywood: You have always been into fashion and have been doing some spreads in big fashion magazines. What is the difference for an actor doing a still photo shoot verses making a film?

Emma: Doing a great scene in a movie you need to be comfortable in all aspects; the way you look, the way you feel, everything needs to make you comfortable. When you are in a photo shoot, you could be uncomfortable for five minutes if it means you would get a good picture. You could wear clothes that you would never wear normally. You can do crazy stuff with your make-up and it doesn’t matter because it’s fun. In a movie, you can do crazy stuff, but at the end of the day, you need to feel like it’s real.

TeenHollywood: What is your latest fashion purchase?

Emma: I just bought a Balenciaga coin purse in the style of the bag. It’s like a black, miniature purse. I bought it and I was going to use it but decided to give it to my mom for Mother’s Day because she’ll love it more. I’m upset so I keep pulling it out to look at it. I’ll have to get another one in another color and keep it.  

TeenHollywood: Like a lot of young talent, you were singing and songwriting for a while. Will you do more or is that left behind? Like would you do a movie musical or a guest shot on “Glee”?

Emma: I would love to do something like Country Strong or Walk the Line. I think that’s when it’s done right. I just feel like I’m not going to go off and start a band and be a pop singer because that’s just distracting from my main acting goal. I have a hard time taking people seriously when they have a full on singing career and a full on acting career. There are certain people I only think of as a singer and others, only as an actor and I kind of like having that separation.

I give so much credit to people who can do both. I’m the kind of person that if I’m going to do something, I need to do it all the way. So, I would prefer to write music for other people than do sing it myself and just focus on acting.

TeenHollywood: It’s a tough life to do both.

Emma: Yeah. I don’t know how people get up and go on stage every night and have that stamina because I don’t. I need my down time and time to myself. I can’t be in front of people 24/7. But, for people who can, power to you because I can’t do it.

TeenHollywood: On dating young actors in general, do you find that they are too self-absorbed to really commit to a relationship?  Your aunt Julia married a crew member (cameraman). Would you ever take a look at the cute crew members?

Emma: I love hanging out with the crew. They’re so much fun! If you’re attracted to someone and you have stuff in common, go for it. It doesn’t matter what they do; like if they’re even in entertainment or a lawyer. If you blend with them why not? Being an actor it’s hard to date because your schedule is so crazy. It makes people think it’s all about you but it’s like “No, I’m just really busy and I have this or that. I’m sorry”.

TeenHollywood: That’s gotta be frustrating.

Emma: Yeah. It’s hard to date people not in the entertainment industry because they don’t get it but it’s also hard to see people in the business because they are just as busy. Or you’re away for four months at a time and long distance just doesn’t work, period. That’s the truth of it. If you’re not seeing someone at least every few weeks, it’s not gonna work.

TeenHollywood: If a guy wants to get close to you, what must he never do on a date or it will piss you off?

Emma: Try too hard to be funny. You know, like when someone just can’t stop cracking jokes. You need to have someone that is funny but who you can also be serious with. I can’t stand someone who tries to be funny all the time. That drives me crazy. You need to have that balance of “I can be funny without trying but I can also be there for you and sit down and talk”. 

It’s too much work when guys are always on. And don’t text! Unless it’s an emergency or you are on with a family member, no. Or at least excuse yourself if you are going to do that.

TeenHollywood: Lots of people agree with that! If acting hadn’t panned out, what career would you have taken up?

Emma: I love to write. I have this whole Carrie Bradshaw, “Sex and the City” columnist fantasy. I would love to do that. I’m also really into fashion. I would like to, not so much design, but be in a fashion magazine. Ever since I was younger I’ve always wanted to work for Vogue as a writer and I still have that dream.

TeenHollywood: You could totally do a column! Okay, new projects, Homework with Freddie Highmore. He’s adorable. He seems shy. Is he?

Emma: I asked him that. I said “Are you shy?” and he’s just an observer. He likes to listen. He’s so funny and nice. I really adore him. I was in London and he and I went as dates to this event and had the best time together. He’s really fun.

TeenHollywood: What artist or band is your latest music discovery?

Emma: I’m obsessed with Sleigh Bells. You have to listen to it. I like Lykke Li her new album I just love “I Follow Rivers” that’s my song of the month.