One Tree Hill newcomer Shantel VanSanten has only worked on the show for a little less than a year (compared with seven years for some of her colleagues), she has already formed strong bonds with the series, her character, the area and her co-workers.

Most of the cast of “One Tree Hill” is used to waiting for The CW to announce whether or not their series will be picked up for another season. But for 24-year-old “Tree Hill” newcomer and former model Shantel VanSanten (“The Final Destination”), who signed on for this past season, the waiting game is a new feeling to deal with. And even though VanSanten has only worked on the show for a little less than a year (compared with seven years for some of her colleagues), she has already formed strong bonds with the series, her character, the area and her co-workers.

We called the actress at her home in Los Angeles, just before she was leaving to take another cast member, 9-year-old Jackson Brundage (Jamie Scott), to a screening of “How To Train Your Dragon.”

She talked about her time on set, how life brought her to Wilmington and what might be next on her list of life accomplishments.

Q: I talked to Robert Buckley (Clay) when he first came aboard “One Tree Hill” and he talked about what an easy transition he had adjusting to the cast and crew. Did you have a pretty easy transition period, too?

A: I did. I was so nervous when we first started. It’s pretty overwhelming to join a cast that has been doing it for six years previous to when you joined. And it wasn’t like we came on as guest stars … But my first day on set was the day we shot all of the cake fight stuff, and I got to put Jackson’s face in the cake and Joy and I got to smash cake in each other’s hair. So it was a really good ice breaker and fun first day to shoot. … And everybody was so welcoming. I think that shooting it in Wilmington helps that. Everybody’s so close, you know. Everybody does dinners together and sees each other.

via Waiting game begins for One Tree Hill’s VanSanten | StarNewsOnline.com.

Shantel VanSanten, who plays bohemian photog, Quinn James on the hit CW series, One Tree Hill, has something major in common with her character. “I’ve always wanted to be a photojournalist and travel as much as I could,” she says. “That’s just one of the similarities I see between Quinn and myself.” The bubbly actress—who you may remember from her role as Lori Milligan in the 2009 movie, Final Destination 3D (185.7 million worldwide)—talked to Kidult about her work on OTH, and dished about the final four episodes of the season.

Where were you raised?

I was born in Minnesota in a town that had like 1,000 people. I was raised there, and in Houston, Texas, which is a lot bigger. I had the best of both worlds.

Did you belong to any cliques in high school?

I went to an all-girls Catholic school, and we had a small class of 48 people—so we didn’t have cliques. It was cool going to a small school because I didn’t have the influence of boys or peer pressure. I was able to figure out what I loved doing without being super judged. I was president of the Glee club, and the Art club.

via Shantel VanSanten Is Picture Perfect | Kidult.

After a mini break, One Tree Hill is back with four brand new episodes beginning this Monday, April 26th at 8 p.m. ET on the CW. We totally love Shantel VanSanten as Quinn James — sister to Hayley, fun-loving aunt to Jamie, and finally girlfriend to super sports agent Clay (played by the totally sexy Robert Buckley). So, we jumped on the chance to chat with Shantel all about her life on and off the One Tree Hill set!

CosmoGirl: When did you know you wanted to be an actress?

Shantal VanSanten: Despite my mother saying I have been destined to be an actress my whole life, I remember being the kid who grew up not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I went from thinking I wanted to be a nun at one point, to going to college for journalism! I was involved in the arts and theater from early on, but it wasn’t until I took an acting class when I was 17 that I realized how passionate I felt about it. When I got the chance to start smaller acting jobs I realized this is what I wanted to do. I still have to pinch myself and be thankful that I get the chance to make a living doing what I love.

via Shantel VanSanten from One Tree Hill Interview – CosmoGIRL!.