'The sexiest thing is to be smart': Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev shrugs off sex symbol status in wholesome photoshoot for SELF

PUBLISHED: 23:22, 16 October 2012 | UPDATED: 23:25, 16 October 2012

She may seduce audiences as vampire Katherine Pierce on her hit CW show.

But Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev is just a wholesome 23-year-old in the new issure of SELF magazine.

The Bulgarian-born star is dressed down in denim shorts for a beach photoshoot, and discusses what she finds most sexy in the November issue.

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Beach waves: Nina lets her hair down in a photoshoot for SELF magazine

Not a fan of the vapid Hollywood starlet stereotype, Nina told reporter Ben Watts: 'The sexiest thing is to be smart.

'Playing dumb might be cute—for about five minutes.'

Pink lady: The 23-year-old starlet wears a colourful wardrobe in the magazine's pages

The Toronto-bred actress, who stars as high school student Elena Gilbert as well as doppelgänger Katherine Pierce on the hit programme, features on the cover of SELF in a figure-fitting micro-minidress.

Cover girl: The actress covers SELF magazine's November issue

Turning heads from news stands in an eye-catching pink and purple pattern, she holds up a surfboard.

It seems an appropriate image, as she opened up about how she stays active to keep her toned figure in shape.

'I have a flat tummy, but I'm not rock hard. If I'm going to be in a bikini, I'll train more and skip desserts for a couple of weeks.

'But usually, I work out to feel good,' she said.

'Exercising gives me endorphins and energy. I do it four days a week.

'I Spin with Candice Accola and Claire Holt from the show.

'Running is my solo time; working my muscles outside in fresh air is therapeutic,' she added.

Nina's also not a fan of Hollywood's obsession with being thin.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower star insists she could never sustain her weight - or her sanity - by skipping meals like other actresses.

'Starving to be skinny isn't my thing,' she said.

As The Vampire Diaries rounds out its fourth season, the driven star has plenty ahead to look forward to - with one very famous movie star motivating her to the top.

'I want to open a yoga studio, direct someday and be in an action film, like Angelina Jolie!' she said.