Real and unrehearsed. Don't let the angelic looks fool you. The refreshingly candid Amanda Seyfried is as down-to-earth as they come.

Les Misérables director Tom Hooper asked that all the movie's actors–Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, you–audition, which is not common for seasoned stars. What was your audition like?
"Which one?! I did three on tape and three in person. I think they initially said my sound wasn't what they were looking for. And I knew what that meant–that I'm just not a good enough singer. I get it. Because I'm not. The whole lifestyle of a singer is just something I can't keep up. You can't eat a lot of dairy and you can't drink. My voice coach said, 'If you absolutely need to drink, make it vodka.' And the fact is, I absolutely have to! Before the last two auditions, I was on the pplane with a portable misting humidifier sitting next to me."

You're an avid taxidermy collector. When did you start?
"A couple of years ago, after I visited Deyrolle in Paris. It's one of the biggest taxidermy stores in the world. I went again last week. I love animals so much."

You don't find them…creepy?
"No! [Laughs] Well, certain faces can be creepy. You have to buy what feels right. I have a baby horse named Antoine; Sparkle is a goat; Kevin's a fox. My baby deer, Sha'Dynasty, was the most expensive one because I bought her from a French artist in Los Angeles. I have a chick named Linda for Linda Lovelace and an owl called Beatrix. I want a zebra one day."

In terms of fashion, you seem drawn to simple, modern pieces. Who are some of your favourite designers?
"Alexander Wang made some black cashmere pants that are my go-tos. I only have one pair and they're moth-eaten. So I went to a crochet class and learned how to make cashmere patches for them. He also does a drop-crotch version that I wear all the time when I'm on set. And I like Isabel marant, J Brand and Topshop. Oh, and The Kooples. It's French and all of the advertisements feature real-life couples as models."

- Candice Rainey

To read more of InStyle's chat with Amanda Seyfried, pick up a copy of the February issue, on sale now.