On working on Panic Room (2002) with such a big name star as Jodie Foster: When I got Panic Room, I’m like “Oh my God, that’s huge! It’s bigger than huge.” I was kind of freaked out at first.

(on her love for acting) I love it because I love to tell stories. I like being in movies that have a great story. I’m not so interested in being a Hollywood star. It’s a job, you know. When you wake up at six in the morning every day for a week, it feels like hard work.

I don’t want to make movies for kids, and I don’t want to make movies for adults either.

Acting is such a personal thing, which is weird because at the same time it’s not. It’s for the consumption of other people. But in terms of creative outlets and expressing yourself, it’s just the most extreme version of that that I’ve ever found. It’s like running, it’s exertion. When you reach that point where you can’t go anymore and you stop and you take a breath, it’s that same sort of clearing of the mind.

A lot of actors think that what we do is so important, like we’re saving people’s lives or something.

All I try to do in the press is be honest about something that I really care about.

I’ve always had an aversion to looking sexy, but I’ve grown out of it.

I start everything from the same place, with that sense of responsibility. On a bigger movie, you have to be aware that you can only control your aspect of the film. It’s nice to be on a smaller movie because you’re working with your friends and you feel so close-knit. It’s your movie and you can do anything you want, and nobody’s going to have anything to say. With a bigger movie, it concerns so many people. It’s so much more of a process. But, in terms of what I do personally, it has to be the same, or else I’m just on some big movie, being a liar, and I can’t do that.

Really, I’m incredibly disjointed and not candid. Just in general, my thoughts tend to come out in little spurts that don’t necessarily connect. If you hang around long enough, you can find the linear path. But it will take a second. That is why these interviews never go well for me.

On having an aha moment when it came to pursuing an acting career: I have the “Aha” moments progressively — they’re like milestones and they hit you. I think my first “Aha!” moment was when I did this movie called Speak (2004). I was just rolling with it, and ended up kind of really losing myself in it, so that I felt like I was a different person at the end. That was a big moment.

You should have the opportunity to be more than one person with different people – because you have that within you. It’s not like you’re faking it. If everyone knows you so well and can always get a hold of you, then you’re stuck to this thing that people think you are. You should have the opportunity to reinvent yourself. Because you do. Naturally.

On whether she wants to develop her skills as a writer: I do want to work on writing, because writing’s a skill. Writing is something that you can train yourself to know better. To know yourself better. And it’s intimidating as hell. I mean, I definitely will always do what I’ve been doing. I’ve also started taking a lot of pictures, and they help the writing. The pictures help the writing. I mean, I want to make books. I want to take pictures and then write all over the pictures. And then I don’t have to say a complete story, because I have the picture, and I have just a word.

On Bella Swan in New Moon (2009): Well, she loses what basically gives her the drive to do anything in her whole life. She loses the man she’s in love with, but she also loses her entire life plan, and she’s so young to have to be forced into a decision like that. It’s just a glorified, elaborate version of the worst breakup you’ve ever been through. All of a sudden, you question everything. All of a sudden, you know nothing and you’re dropped in the middle of a freezing cold ocean. Oddly, we have a character that’s warm enough and bright enough to bring her out of that, and it’s truly gut-ripping. Because as perfect as Jacob is for her, she holds on to an ideal, the ultimate fiery love that she has for Edward even though it’s not comfortable, it’s not practical and it’s not a good idea.

This weird thing happens when you’re in a movie that has some level of success. People start offering you all kinds of things, and they just expect you to do them because they’ll be good for your career. It’s not about the project’s integrity or anything like that. It’s about raising your profile and all that crap.

I was just in Botswana in Africa. I wanted to learn something about the world. I just feel really ignorant whenever I leave the country. I don’t know a lot of stuff, and I really want to. I figure that traveling is a good way to start if you want knowledge. Like, if you don’t know something about a country, then go and check it out. That’s what I did.

On how her life has changed since Twilight (2008): My life hasn’t changed. Most circumstances I find myself in are different than they were a year ago, but I myself haven’t changed… however a normal 18-year-old girl would change in a year. But it makes things so much easier. I would do it for free every day [even] if nobody saw it. I cannot describe how good it feels to actually have something that is truly into your heart and soul actually affecting people. And that’s amazing. So that’s the biggest change.

On whether she wants to continue making movies or go to college: I absolutely have no foresight. I used to think I had a lot when I was younger. I worked really hard in school to give myself options, and I’ve literally taken those options and thrown them down the toilet. Purposely – not to make that sound totally negative. It’s what I want. I want to keep doing what I’m doing. It’s funny, people ask me all the time: “What do you do for fun? What do you do when you’re not acting?”. It’s a strange thing, acting. It’s a business, it’s a job, everything like that. All it is, is self-reflection. You just never stop caring about people and I’ve never stopped doing that, so I’m sure it’ll seep into other areas of my life. I want to write. I’m not going to school because I can’t take the structure of it, but I’m not going to stop learning.

Usually, I come in and sit down at roundtables in America and they look at me like “What is wrong with you?”. Just because I don’t fit… nobody fits into the frame that typical Hollywood young actresses do, but they try to. They try to be this thing. Try to memorize answers and make everybody happy. That’s so horrifying and scary to me. So when you’re not that, you get criticized for it. You get criticized for being honest and criticized for being nervous. So that’s kind of annoying. I do a whole day of press and then I get calls from publicity people that are like “You might want to be a little bit more bubbly.” And I’m like “no”. People get very upset in the States. It’s weird. Fans of the book especially. They don’t understand me. Which is fine. I guess it doesn’t really matter who I am, it just matters that they like the movie.

On doing interviews: Self-evaluation is not my strong point, and you’re constantly asked to critique yourself. You just spent three months on a set and your whole life is wrapped up in that – and then it’s like, “Okay, define that right now in five seconds.” I can’t do that. I used to get so nervous that I would become a completely different person – and then they would think that was me. So I’ve tried to calm down, but no one’s ever going to write, “Oh, she’s actually just a pretty f—in’ average chick who really loves what she does.” That’s not gonna happen.

On how fame changed her life: There’s nothing you can do about it, to be honest. I don’t leave my hotel room — literally, I don’t. I don’t talk to anybody about my personal life, and maybe that perpetuates it, too. But it’s really important to own what you own and keep it to yourself. That said, the only way for me not to have somebody know where I went the night before is if I didn’t go out at all. I’m trading. It depends on what mood I’m in. Some nights, I think, “You know what? I don’t care. I’m going to do what I want to do.” Then the next day I think, “Ugh. Now everyone thinks I’m going out to get the attention.” and I’m like, “No, actually, for a second, thought that maybe I could be like a normal person.”.

Speech after winning an Orange Bafta (2010): Wow. Thank you. I guess first I have to thank all the fans of Twilight for proving again and again to be THE most devoted and attentive fans ever. Considering this is voted, credit is due to them so thank you. To the other actors nominated, I am so blown away by you that I can’t even describe it. To be voted among you is just overwhelming. And I’d like to say hi to my family.

[in 2009, on her relationship with Robert Pattinson] People always ask me if I’m dating Rob (Pattinson). It’s beyond annoying. What I say is, that, why would I want anything that’s private to become entertainment for other people?

My family are amazing. I had like, the perfect upbringing. It sucks for people like Lindsay [Lohan], but it’s not her fault she’s so off the rails – and she’s smart, very smart.

I’m totally preoccupied with cooking. And now I’m obsessed with the Food Network. I like Paula Deen because she’s hilarious,.

It’s weird, because I would be the last person in my school to be in plays, but I was forced to sing a song in a school thing. I sang a dreidel song, which is funny for me. I’ve never celebrated Hanukkah – it wasn’t in my upbringing, but it was one of those deals where everybody has to pick a song or participate somehow in the chorus. It wasn’t the normal dreidel song; I can’t really remember the words, but it was a more serious dreidel song. The dreidel was huge, it was really honored. And that’s how I met my agent, who was in the audience. I was eight.

[on her hair]: Since I started acting, I have never had by natural color, which is light brown. But it’s fine, it’s funny seeing yourself look different.

I’m asked all the time in interviews about who I am, and I know a few people my age who have a strong sense of self, but I couldn’t say I know myself and sum it up and give it to you in a little package. I don’t know myself at all yet.

[in 2010, if she is dating Robert Pattinson] I wouldn’t tell you anything about anybody I cared about because it becomes entertainment for other people, and it sort of just cheapens everything in your life. I would never tell you if I was dating anybody.

I think romance is anything honest. As long as it’s honest, it’s so disarming.

[on what fame changes] You build a perimeter of people that are really important to you.

[on the down-side of fame]: There’s no way to eloquently put this. I just can’t go to the mall. It bothers me that I can’t be outside very often. And also to not ever be just ‘some girl’ again. Just being some chick at some place, that’s gone.

Anytime I hear that somebody’s really rich, the first question is, “Do you do anything with it? Or do you, like, chill? You just sit on it?”.

When I dress up, I have to have a lot of help. I was in a T-shirt until a few minutes ago.

What you don’t see are the cameras shoved in my face and the bizarre intrusive questions being asked, or the people falling over themselves, screaming and taunting to get a reaction.

[in 2011, about her boyfriend Robert Pattinson] I would never cheapen my relationships by talking about them.

It’s impossible to always get across what I’m trying to say, but, if I just stay honest, then I’m not going to look back on any of these interviews and wonder what I was trying to do or be.

[on her rise to fame and claims that she is ungrateful or unhappy]: I totally am more comfortable now. I try not to have a celebrity skin, which is why I think I run into problems. So many people say “Why don’t you just play the part?”. I do, I really try to do that. I guess I should get a face transplant or something. I really love what I do, I really love everybody that I’ve ever worked with, I’ve gotten really lucky. I’m very appreciative, so that always kills me.

I think it’s funny that when I go onstage to accept an award, they think I’m nervous, uncomfortable, and awkward – and I am – but those are bad words for them.

[on the paparazzi]: Once somebody finds out, you have to get the hell out of wherever you are. People freak out. And the photographers, they’re vicious. They’re mean. They’re like thugs. I don’t even want to drive around by myself anymore. It’s dangerous.

I don’t think there’s anything about being a celebrity that is desirable. I understand that everybody’s going to know who you are and what you look like, but why be so obsessive?

Maybe I’m completely different from everyone else. There are a lot of girls who can’t wait to get married and plan their wedding a long time in advance. I’m not like that. I do want to start a family at some point, but I don’t know when.

[on punching Chris Hemsworth] I have to say for anyone who’s ever been in that situation where, as a girl, you think it’s not going to do anything. It fucking does something. He was standing over me and I just went “boom!” I spun him around. I punched him right out of his close-up and then I started crying. I felt horrible.

The strangest part about being famous is you don’t get to give first impressions anymore. Everyone already has an impression of you before you meet them.

On Snow White and the Huntsman (2012): I’m having the most fulfilling experience as an actor. I’m close with Rupert Sanders, have his ear, and it’s to his credit that I feel this way because I’m getting my first taste of really collaborating. Usually as an actor, you put your hands up and go, “That’s not my thing.” I love acting. Honestly, I love looking at the call sheet where it says my character’s name above my name. That’s what I’m here for, but it’s also cool to be on their level. To give an opinion and be taken seriously.

I can’t wait to not be working and go home and gain some interests. I want to see what I’m into. I want to figure out what I want.

[on wearing colored contacts in Twilight (2008)] The contacts suck so badly. You can’t see anything thus people cannot see you, I feel. There is just no getting in there.

[on choosing to leave public school] School became genuinely uncomfortable. I was feeling a little self-conscious about the acting thing with my peers, but also my teachers became a problem. They didn’t want to do the extra work or put packages together so I could keep up while away. They failed me. My teachers failed me. Not one, but all of them. I’m always slightly ashamed, in a way, about what I do. I’m slightly embarrassed as I had such serious ambitions when I was younger. I just never imagined that I would ever have a reason not to go to school, but then this happened.

[on her role as Melinda Sordino in Speak (2004)] I was definitely aware of the film’s subject matter, and it wasn’t because of anything that had happened in my own life. Not at all. I grew up in a happy household.

It took me a long time to realize that I was a girl as a teenager. At that point, I never really believed it. I looked like a boy for a long time. Now finally, I feel like a woman.

[on the paparazzi] It really is not a nightmare, it’s just one of those things. I guarantee whenever I get married or have a baby, everyone is going to want to know my kid’s name and I’m not going to say it for ages. That’s just the way I want to do it. It’ll come out but it won’t have come from me. They’re going to be really pissed off that I won’t say it and I’m just going to say, “No!”