Piper Perabo, the name on everyone’s lips, graces the pages of Premiere Magazine’s July 2000 issue, and the story behind her meteoric rise is as captivating as her gaze in this stunning photo.

The article reveals a little secret: Perabo’s early success wasn’t just about talent; it involved a dash of audacious fibbing! Fresh out of Ohio University, she landed her first film role by confidently claiming skills she didn’t yet possess.

“I’m a big believer in just saying yes if someone asks you if you can do something,” she confesses, “Then you go home and learn it as fast as you can.”

From faking hip-hop knowledge for Whiteboys to playing a bumbling FBI agent in The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle, Perabo’s willingness to dive headfirst into the unknown has clearly paid off.

But it’s her role in Coyote Ugly that truly highlights her adaptability. Ironically, a past experience as a disastrous cocktail waitress (where she famously spilled a chocolate martini on a woman in a white suit!) prepared her for the bartending skills required for the role.

As Perabo navigates the treacherous waters of Hollywood, she’s learning new skills, including mastering the art of name-dropping. “Hollywood people will be like, ‘I just had lunch with…’ and then say somebody’s first name. And I’m like, ‘Am I supposed to know who you’re talking about?'”

With her talent, charm, and a healthy dose of audacity, Piper Perabo is definitely a star on the rise!

-Larry Perez