Shannyn Sossamon could be the real-life, brunette version of Cinderella.

The five-foot-eight beauty was “discovered” by a casting director while helping a friend deejay at a birthday party for Gwyneth Paltrow in 1999.

Six months later, the Hawaiian-born hottie was cast as the fair maiden Jocelyn opposite Heath Ledger in “A Knight’s Tale.”

Growing up in Reno, Nev., Sossamon always had dreams of becoming a dancer. At 17, she moved out to L.A. with her mom and learned to deejay, spinning records in little lounges and starring in commercials on the side. Her dreams of becoming a dancer slowly faded.

But she’s definitely dancing now.

In her latest flick, “40 Days and 40 Nights,” which opens Friday, Sossamon plays Erica, a spunky, offbeat Manhattanite, who becomes the object of attraction of a man who’s taken a vow of celibacy (played by heartthrob Josh Hartnett).

The 23-year-old actress will also star in the upcoming flick “Rules Of Attraction,” the film version of the Bret Easton Ellis novel, and another movie opposite Heath Ledger, “The Sin Eater.”

Q: In “40 Days and 40 Nights,” your character romances a guy who’s made a vow of celibacy. Have you ever gone for more than a month without sex?

A: I’ve gone without sex for a lot longer than that. Forty days and 40 nights is not that long. C’mon now.

Q: Describe your personal style.

A: A little bit of sadness mixed with some love, laughter, frustration, self-abuse, acceptance, topped off with pure gut. At least for now.

Q: Favorite designers?

A: I don’t have a favorite designer – yet.

Q: What do you wear for a big night out?

A: Red lipstick and a nervous giggle.

Q: What do you do to relax?

A: Go into a steam room. Steam out all my troubles.

Q: What can’t you live without?

A: Laughter. I’d rather drown myself than live a life without laughing.

Q: How do you stay in shape?

A: I work out with my dear friend Sarah and she’s from the South. She makes me smile.

Q: How do you take care of yourself?

A: Unfortunately, I don’t take care of myself physically as much as I need to. Big bummer.

Q: What are some of your favorite things?

A: A tape player, a CD player or a record player and some amazing music to put in that player. Knee-high socks, sunflower seeds.

Q: What gives you substance?

A: Following my gut, I guess. But there are times when I don’t know and nothing in the world feels worse than that. But that’s just me. If I was a psychopath instead, then that wouldn’t be very pleasant for everyone around me. Would it?

Q: What do you wear when relaxing?

A: Knee-highs, sweatshirt, sweat shorts, slippers.

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: Red wine. Lots of it. Good music. Lots of it. Also … dancing, thinking, kissing. I love good kissing.

Q: What would you NEVER wear?

A: Fake nails, fake boobs, or a fake smile.

Q: What do you use to accessorize?

A: Hats and lipstick.

Q: What was your most embarrassing fashion moment or biggest fashion faux pas?

A: A really bad wig. My friend made me remove it. He was right.

Q: What would you love to own but would never buy for yourself?

A: An island.

Q: What traits does your ideal guy have?

A: He has to be “imperfectly perfect.” If there is such a boy.

Q: What do you love to see guys wear?

A: Hooded sweatshirts with the hood over his head.