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American Pie's Shannon Elizabeth Opens Up About 'Surreal' Role As Nadia

American Pie's Shannon Elizabeth Opens Up About 'Surreal' Role As Nadia

The actor, now 45, reflected on the role two decades on

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Believe it or not, it's been two whole decades since American Pie was released and introduced us all to Jim, Stifler, Vicky et al - not to mention the ins and outs of what happens at band camp.

One of the movie's most... erm... memorable scenes centres on foreign exchange student Nadia, played by Shannon Elizabeth, who ends up the unsuspecting star of a live stream while getting changed in Jim's bedroom. Not sure that'd fly in Hollywood now, but... well, it definitely happened in 1999.

Revealing what it was like to film the awkward scene, Shannon told Page Six: "It was a closed set and it was just me in this room and the boom guy above me.

Shannon Elizabeth starred as Nadia in three movies within the American Pie franchise.
Universal Pictures

"I was like, 'This is so weird.' It was a square room they had built in the middle of a warehouse and we made everyone that didn't need to be there leave set.

"That's the main thing I remember, just me and the boom guy, and trying to make jokes with the directors and make light of it because if I wasn't nervous, maybe they wouldn't be so nervous... I just tried to make it no big deal."

The role was Shannon's 'big break' and despite having just two scenes in the film she made a big impression on the teen audience.

Now, 20 years later, Shannon says she's 'honoured' she was given the 'sex symbol' label.

Speaking to the news outlet, she said: "I am honoured by it, but there's a part of my being that doesn't believe it. You know, like, 'No, that's not me...'

"I almost don't associate with it because, I don't know, it's just surreal to me."

However, the actor-turned-animal-rights activist also added that she was 'blessed and grateful' to have played Nadia.

In fact, Nadia was so popular she returned for American Pie 2 and American Reunion.

Shannon, now 45, has since set up an animal charity and lives in South Africa where she helps to protect endangered species, including rhinos and elephants.

The actor now lives in South Africa and runs an animal charity.
Shannon Elizabeth/Instagram

I'm not going to lie, I didn't see that coming, but fair play to her.

In the future, Shannon and her boyfriend Simon Borchert plan on launching a brand new website, Rhino Review, which will help to teach people more about the species and the problems they face.

Despite her massive change in career, Shannon still appears to think very fondly of American Pie, telling Page Six: "It was, like, the best thing I could have happened to me. That film launched my whole acting career. I'm so grateful for it."

She hasn't completely turned her back on movies, though - she's set to star in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, due out later this year.

Featured Image Credit: Universal Pictures

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity