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In an online-only interview for Newsweek.com, Jessica Alba finally debunks the rumor that she was approached about becoming Tom Cruise's zombie bride ("No. I have a boyfriend. Why would I go out on a date with another man? I’ve been in a relationship for a year." Du-uh!), a role later played with aplomb by Katie Holmes. There, that's settled. But far more interesting to us is Alba's continuing campaign to make sure the world knows that she's earned every part with acting talent, dammit, and wasn't merely cast because of her logic-defying hotness:

Let’s talk about “Sin City.” I know you had to convince them to cast you for the role. I got cast because I did a good job. I was the actress they wanted. They didn’t hire me cause they thought, "Oh, you’re hot." Or, "We think you’re going to be the next big this and that." They could give two s—ts who I was. Their movie was going to be successful whoever was in the role. So they cast the best actors.

So how did you convince them you’re the best?
 I don’t know. I just read with a casting director.

Touchy, touchy. There are certainly worse crimes in Hollywood than getting a leg up because of your looks—like playing a stripper and then not taking off your clothes.

Alba then goes on to describe how she was intially inept at the rope tricks required to play her Sin City character, suggesting that whatever it was she did during that crucial showcase of her talents did not involve tying up the casting director.