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It’s a little shocking that one of TV’s most promising pieces of eye candy was homeschooled in a small town outside of Atlanta and has a pastor for a father. An upbringing like that usually leads to a life of

-esque domestic bliss. But AnnaLynne McCord has always walked her own path.

Her first taste of acting came at age nine, when she won a part with her community theater. She loved the spotlight and was a natural on stage. So much so, in fact, that AnnaLynne won her local “Actors, Models and Talent Competition” at 15. First prize was a modeling contract in Miami. Sounds like a tough gig.

annalynne mccord and wilhelmina modeling agency

It wasn’t long before AnnaLynne was under contract with the prestigious Wilhelmina Modeling Agency, appearing in numerous ads for Estee Lauder. Not content to vamp exclusively in still photos, the ambitious budding star also began auditioning for acting roles. She beefed up her chances by studying at the prestigious William Esper Studio in New York City. Clearly, this driven bird had flown about as far from small town Georgia as you can get. But with L.A. next on her list, AnnaLynne was about to go even further.

Hot, leggy blond actresses are a dime a dozen in Hollywood. That’s great if you live there and are into hot, leggy blonds, but not so great if you’re one of those hotties looking to make a name for yourself.  AnnaLynne’s bubbly personality helped her stand out from the gorgeous masses, and she found work quickly. First it was bit parts in movies like

or guest starring roles on

.

annalynne mccord and 90210

Those bit parts were enough to get her a recurring role on the bizarre prime time medical drama/black comedy

. AnnaLynne turned heads as a sociopathic Eden Lord, a conniving and scheming witch that made her an obvious choice when the producers of

were looking for a hot young actress to play the main bad girl on their show. After a rough start, the show has found its voice and looks set for a long run -- thanks in no small part to AnnaLynne’s deliciously bitchy character, who torments Shenae Grimes' character, Annie.

While many of her fellow hot young actresses fill their free time drunkenly driving their SUVs into packs of paparazzi, AnnaLynne seems content to chill with her sisters and pile up humanitarian awards. The Look to The Stars Foundation, a group that monitors celebrity charitable efforts, called AnnaLynne “one of the strongest young female philanthropists standing up in Hollywood.” Her favorite charity is The Blind Project, a progressive organization that creates jobs for women in countries ravaged by human trafficking. In her spare time, AnnaLynne runs a clothing line with those aforementioned sisters, with all proceeds going to charity. Lindsay Lohan she is definitely not.

All this good deed-doing makes us cynical types wonder when the nasty skeletons in AnnaLynne McCord’s closet will be brought to light. One look at her amazing green eyes and come-hither stare makes us hope that if it does happen, it happens none too soon.