So tell us, Hayden—when do you intend to become the latest screwed-up girl in Hollywood?
Never, never. Cross our fingers.

We can’t schedule it for your twenty-first birthday or anything like that?
You can’t schedule rehab for me. And I don’t think you can schedule any DUIs. I think I’m going to be one of those boring girls.

Will you at least go into a gas-station bathroom without shoes on?
No, that’s disgusting. I’ve walked around other places maybe without my shoes on, but not bathrooms.

Tell us what your past couple of years have been like, since Heroes began.
This business tends to turn your life upside down. For some strange reason, I’ve become one of the targets of the paparazzi. Things get crazy. You try and hold on to that little part of normal that you can.

It seems, in a weird way, that we’re all pushing these young women toward meltdowns.
Absolutely. Britney Spears, for example. That girl was the epitome of beauty when I was younger. And we built her up and just ripped her down, put every aspect of her life under a microscope. Probably made 90 percent of the stuff up along the way. I can’t even imagine if I had it like she does. She’s someone that I’m rooting for, and I hope she can make that comeback.

Well, things are much better for you. You’re on a hit TV show. When are you going to ask NBC for the big bucks?
Riiiight? I don’t know! Dude, you and me both! I wanna ask. We’ll see what happens.

Look, you’re the biggest star on NBC. You need to ask for a million an episode.
I would feel bad about myself if I got a million an episode.

It worked for the Friends, you know.
Dude, they got Porsches. We got a poker set last year!

That’s not cool. You need a Porsche.
Actually I already have one of those. But I’m going to get rid of it. I’m going to get a Prius.

You’re such a cliché.
I know. You know what, though? The Porsche sticks out like a sore thumb. A nice Prius will fit right in.

What color’s your Porsche?
Merlot.

The actual color is called Merlot?
Well, it’s called something complicated, but it literally is like the color of Merlot.

Hayden, you’re 18. You’re not supposed to know what color Merlot is.
I’m Italian, all right? We were raised the Italian way. I have tasted alcohol. I know what it looks like. Don’t be naive here.

What’s the craziest rumor you’ve read about yourself?
Well, now that I’m single, it’s like I’m dating every male I’m standing next to—and possibly every female.

You had to figure the lesbian rumor was coming.
Actually, that’s probably the least of my concerns. That would be a pretty funny one.

So you are definitely single.
Yes.

And you’re not dating your Heroes costar Milo Ventimiglia, which is the gossip that’s flying around about you?
No, I’m not. I love my castmates, and I adore Milo. He’s awesome, but we’re easy targets. We’re both young, and he’s one of the only people on the show not married with children.

What would be a good rumor to start about you? If someone were to put you together with a leading man, who would it be?
God, it could be anyone from Leo DiCaprio to Justin Timberlake—or any girl. You want to make me a lesbian? That’s totally fine with me.

Okay. Well, who would be good?
Um, let’s see. We could do a love affair with Angelina. We could do… Oh gosh, I love—there are so many beautiful girls. Charlize Theron. Oh, my God. Kate Beckinsale is gorgeous. Jessica Alba.

Here’s some real gossip: Last year you came to our GQ Men of the Year party with B. J. Novak from The Office.
I did! It was so random. It was the first night I ever met him. And he called up and asked me to go, and I was like, “Uh, okay, sounds fun!”

Was it a date?
I don’t know. I didn’t ask. I enjoyed the party. And he’s a very nice guy.

Did he make any moves?
No!

Was there a second date?
I’ve not personally gone out with him, no.

Can we spread that rumor?
B. J. Novak? His girlfriend—if he still has a girlfriend—would not be so happy about that one.

What are your New Year’s plans?
I don’t know. I think I’m actually going to go visit a friend up north for the end of Christmas.

Angelina?
Yeah, right. I wish. No.

And you’re just going to drink club soda or pomegranate juice.
Riiight.

So you’re not going to tell us when you’re going to get into trouble?
I get into trouble on my own time, when nobody’s looking. Not bad trouble, though—good trouble.

So it’s clear you’re not interested in being the flavor of the month. You want to grow old in Hollywood, become a grande dame.
Absolutely.

So what are you going to do for your seventieth birthday party?
I hope I’m in Italy drinking wine with good friends and family. I better be legal by then.