By Antonia Simigis

WHO IS SHE?:

When most actresses try to sing, they either bomb off the charts or go platinum in Asia (ahem, Jennifer Love Hewitt). Sweet and sassy 24-year-old Taryn Manning may be that rare exception. As the XX-chromosomed half of brother-sister outfit Boomkat, Taryn lays bratty bubblegum vocals over big bro Kellin's video game-inspired trip-hop beats for a debut album that's more explosive than a jumbo-pack of Pop Rocks -- Boomkatalog One hits stores this month.

WHAT HAS SHE DONE?:

This karate expert kicked her way onto the big screen as Kirsten Dunst's druggie pal in Crazy/Beautiful, then road-tripped with Britney through Crossroads. She first showed off her pipes (and fab bod) with a throaty, sizzling rendition of the Staple Singers' I'll Take You There in a recent Gap ad. Eminem gave Taryn props when he cast her as his ex in 8 Mile and included a Boomkat song on the movie's soundtrack. Look out for Taryn in the upcoming civil war drama Cold Mountain, alongside yet another singer-turned-actor: White Stripes front man Jack White.

WHY DO WE CARE?:

Despite her success, Taryn doesn't have an ounce of Hollywood 'tude -- she's the kind of anti-diva who'd party with her fans after the show. She looks smokin' in roller skates, too.

Playboy.com: We've seen you at a couple parties at the Playboy Mansion. Made any good memories there?

Taryn Manning: That place is a trip! I end up just sitting there and people-watching. It's like a circus. I can't take my eyes off the women there. I just stare at them. They're so gorgeous and perfect...it's hard to believe they're real sometimes.

PB: Are you A-list on Hollywood's party circuit now?

TM: I do get to mingle with a lot of celebrities. The other night I went to an after-Oscars party...my brother's sitting next to me here, rolling his eyes, telling me not to name drop. Well...[Pauses] Jay-Z was there, and P. Diddy, Janet Jackson. It was cool hanging in the same room with them. But I'm not a celebrity chaser. I tend to stick to my roots and where I came from. Most of my real friends aren't celebrities. They're just homeys, the people I relate to.

PB: A couple years back, the White Stripes pulled the wool over everyone's eyes by masquerading as brother and sister. Do people ever question if you and Kellin are really related?

TM: People have asked us a few times because of that reason, but once they see us and hang out with us, it's pretty obvious that we're related. We look a lot alike. We've got references, too. You can call our mom if you don't believe us. [Laughs]

PB: As your big brother, does Kellin get defensive about groupies after you?

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photo: © DreamWorks Records