“I keep asking myself “why am I so special?”. I don’t understand why I’m so blessed to be in this position” - on getting her role on “Home and Away”

“I never really took drama or acting that seriously because I didn’t think it was a realistic path for me.”

“My best friend was Aboriginal. She taught me about ‘bush tucker’—the food of the land, the different things you could eat if you got lost in the bush, like grasses and berries. There’s this tree called the billygoat plum—the fruit is quite nice.” - on her childhood and the Aussie bush

“People instantly assume you can’t have a platonic friendship with someone of the opposite sex. I think this may be specific to L.A.—or America.”

“It would really depend on how I felt about the script. If nudity was required to make a scene “full”, then I’d consider it. If it was a gimmick to get people to watch it… that’s not what it’s about for me.” - on whether she would consider nudity for a role.

“I find it attractive when someone reveals their self to you. People who are really honest and real, who can just be themselves. Humility, spontaneity and compassion are beautiful qualities.”

“I think there are many issues in the world that need to be attended to, but you also can’t give your energy to everything. I’m dealing with one thing at a time.” - on the causes she supports

“Well, the best piece of fashion advice, I gave someone would be: Be individual and wear what suits you and what you like!”

“I like unique clothing with beading and usually opt for more soft, flowing styles for example, Peace Angels. But I usually just wear jeans or whatever is the most comfortable.” - on her favourite fashion labels

“I have like so many cool and funky nicknames. My sister tends to call me Belle. I love it when my friends call me Izzy. But, my favourite nickname is Isabella.” - on her nicknames

“I am totally addicted to natural beauty products. I like to look natural and radiant. So my best beauty tip is start on the inside. Make sure to eat healthy and drink plenty of water.”

“I love art. I always loved creative art-all of those arty subjects at school like painting, sketching, anything like that. Also music – I love guitar and I’ve had singing lessons. I’m now learning to skateboard and I am learning some moves now. I have also never been surfing, but I want to.” - on her other talents and interests

“I agreed to do it because I was able to handpick the photographer and the location and was able to control what the finished product would look like. [Acclaimed fashion photographer] Nick Leary took the shots, and the end result is no different to how a Vogue shoot would look.” - on why she chose to pose for FHM

“Most bikini shots of women can look very sexist, but I wanted to prove that you can look just as sensual when you’re more covered
up.” - on why she chose to pose for FHM

“Film (is my focus), but I want to try all different mediums. I have really had a lot of time to think about what I want and Home and Away was a wonderful learning experience, but it was a lot of pressure for a young person straight from school. Acting is what I love, so film and theatre is what I want to do now.” - on what she wants to do in the future

“I auditioned for lots of different projects, all grass roots at the moment, so I can’t really speak about them, but I met with lots of agents, including Kate Winslet’s. She (Winslet) actually called when I was in the meeting. She was flying out to the Oscars the next day. It was all so surreal.” - on her business visit to London

“I think it’s easier to play different characters and more likely for people to believe you when you have some anonymity. I just think it’s harder in our time now to achieve that.”

“I love rosehip oil as a moisturiser and Lucas’ Papaw ointment as a lip balm. I just splash my face with water in the mornings and wear a moisturiser with sunscreen on it. After work I remove my make-up with cleanser and then moisturise.” - on her beauty regime

“I have seen ‘Twilight,’ and I met Kristen and Rob, and they’re awesome. I met them when they were doing the ['Twilight'] press junket. I love that film; they did a really amazing job, it was a huge workload and big shoes to fill… I’ve also seen a film recently called ‘Let the Right One In.’ It’s a Swedish [vampire] film that is incredible. I loved it.” - when asked about Daybreakers and other vampire movies

“He’s nothing like that, he’s actually a dork. He’s a book worm.” - when asked whether Adrian Grenier is like his Entourage character

“What do I need to do to be ready? I just feel so amazingly grateful for the opportunity, so if it does help career-wise then I’ll be very grateful for that too. But I don’t have any expectations, we’ll see how it goes.” - when asked whether she as ready for all the press attention that was coming from Transformers.

“I love Australia and I’ve been called back for auditions in two upcoming Australian films. Living in LA would be the last place I would want to be. I’ve been there before and it’s an inhuman place.” - speaking in 2007

“It sounds busy but there have been a lot of breaks in between. It’s been so diverse – from blockbuster to vamp-thriller to family drama-comedy. I’m lucky with the way things have unravelled.” - on how her career has taken off in recent years

“It’s happened before, with a friend and then again with a co-star. It’s not outrageous to have male friends and at the end of the day, that’s what they are.” - on the rumours about Jared Leto, and the men she’s seen with

“I don’t get anything from the stardom side of things. If it’s not creatively stimulating it’s not really satisfying. I’d like to do more than just act. I do a lot of writing anyway. Script ideas, story ideas. That’s something I’d really like to pursue.”

“I’d do a degree. Environmental science. Fine arts. I’m not sure. Just to enjoy what I’m doing, that’s what matters.” - to the Sydney Morning Herald in December 2007

“Melbourne’s such a creative place. It’s a great place to be creative.”

“If I don’t end up with acting as a career that’s OK. You can get a tub of yoghurt as big as your head for $3.” - to the Sydney Morning Herald in December 2007

“I’m a bit of a kook; a bit of a quirk. And I guess I’m quiet when I first meet people, but I’m not really!”

“I think you definitely have to have good roots. Mum and Dad are very grateful people, and that’s rubbed off on my sister and me. I think that I’m just really fortunate to be working at an art that I enjoy. But I think some girls do get bitten by Hollywood… I’m sure if they travelled and spent their time thinking about other things, they’d come to the same conclusion – it’s not all about how you look.”

“The most beautiful is always just what’s natural, and not forced.”

“You can’t give if your cup of inspiration isn’t full.”

“I think the last time I was single was when I was seventeen. That was my first boyfriend and, I guess, having been a serial monogamist, it’s been a really positive experience to have more time for other interests.”

“When you’re shooting films overseas, it’s not really conducive to having a relationship. But I still think there’s a possibility for it to work quite well; it just takes more maintenance. At the moment, it’s just right to be single.”

“My dad is a pilot so I think I was born with the travel bug. I like to keep mobile. It keeps my mind awake.”

“Acting really helped me come out of my shell a lot.”

“I feel blessed, fortunate, overwhelmed and grateful to many people as I see it as a team effort.” - on her Logie win in 2004

“I’m a fatalist. I believe things happen for a reason, that you attract people and situations that are meant to fulfil your path.”

OTHERS ON ISABEL
Adrian Grenier – “(Isabel) and I have a very open communication. We’re friends with common interests. We’re young in Hollywood, having fun.”

Shia LaBeouf – “She’s a very talented actress. She’s beautiful. And she was thrown into a boiling pot of hot water. The set was bubbling from the minute we started on the first one. So for Isabel to come from Australia, essentially a newcomer, and virtually her first film is this large, it’s pretty impressive. It’s fun for her—new and exciting. She’s dealing with it the best she can. She’s a quiet girl, very different from Megan. She’s less outspoken, less aggressive and a totally different personality. But she’s just as enjoyable.”

Claire McCarthy – “Isabel is just, I think, a magic, beautiful young actress, I think she’s absolutely ethereal.”