Bilson says private life is just that

Being photographed and chased by the paparazzi means success for The OC's Rachel Bilson.

Although the 25-year-old Los Angeles-based actor says she does her best to keep her private life out of the spotlight.

"It is very important to me to try to keep relationships as private as possible," said Bilson, who dates her OC co-star Adam Brody.

"Your personal life is the one thing you have for yourself because you are out there for the world to see. People think they know you and everything, so to have that to yourself is very important."

Bilson features in glossy mags the world over and has won a legion of fans for playing Summer Roberts in the hit American TV series based in southern California's Orange County.

While she realises media attention is part of the job, she says her private life is off limits.

"I am in it because I love acting and I love my job and I love working. I am not in it for the celebrity part," she told AAP at the Toronto International Film Festival, where her film, The Last Kiss, premiered in September.

In The OC, Bilson plays the daughter of a rich local doctor, best friend of Marissa Copper (Mischa Barton) and girlfriend of the nerdy Seth Cohen (Brody).

The series has been a big hit around the world and has screened on Network Ten in Australia.

"Especially when you are on television, people feel like they know you because you are in their house every week," said Bilson.

"They can say whatever and they can pick you apart and they can be hurtful. That is why you really have to have a strong energy and try to not pay attention."

Bilson is a Californian native, born and raised in Los Angeles.

She got into acting at the age of 17, starting with work on television commercials before getting a guest role on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

From there, Bilson was cast in The OC when the show premiered in 2003. She was initially offered a guest role and was to appear in only a few episodes but the role was made permanent.

"The OC has been the best training camp I could ever ask for, being on set every day, working with actors, having that chance to be in front of a camera has really helped me and given me a confidence that I definitely wouldn't have had without it," says Bilson, who is currently shooting the fourth season of the series.

Bilson said she wasn't sure why the show had been so successful, putting it down to the fact that it simply came at a good time.

"It came at the right time because there hadn't been a show in a while that sort of captivated that wide of an audience," she said.

"There hadn't been a Dawson's Creek or a (Beverly Hills) 90210 for a very long time. And it was smarter, definitely it is a very witty, smart, edgy show, and I think everyone involved makes it a great thing."

On and off-screen Bilson is known for her fashion.

She is often featured in 'best dressed' sections of magazines and, despite her young age, has been referred to as a "style icon".

"I love clothes and fashion, I have my own life - it wasn't something that came along with the job.

"I just love it. I genuinely love clothes. It is a way of expressing yourself - it is an art."

In an industry so focused on body image, Bilson said people liked her take on fashion because she was comfortable with herself.

"It is important to be comfortable with yourself and just do whatever feels comfortable and act accordingly," she said.

"I dress how I want because I love clothes. Fortunately people usually like it."

Bilson's debut film effort in The Last Kiss won't be released in Australia until next year.

The film also stars Zach Braff, Casey Affleck, Blythe Danner and Australian Jacinda Barrett.

"Ideally what I would love is to have a movie career, if I am lucky enough to have that," said Bilson, who intends to visit Australia to promote the film early next year.

"It is very hard for me to get the roles that I would love to play because there are women that are phenomenal and they are already at that stage of their career that they get to do them, which they deserve it.

"I just hope to one day be able to work my way up there."

* The OC returns to Network Ten on November 7 at 8.30pm (AEST) and will screen each Tuesday night at that time.