She originally wanted to teach English, but someone noticed her and took her to meet a commercial agent, who introduced her to Playhouse West, where she spent 18 months. Her first real break was as a guest shot on Baywatch, and then as Ashley in the short-lived NBC series Malibu Shores. Then she auditioned for Buffy. For the role of Buffy.
To her surprise, she was also asked to audition for Cordelia, which, obviously, she got. During Season 1 Cordelia behaves snootily towards Buffy, but in 'Prophecy Girl' she learnt the truth about Sunnydale, and from then on joins Buffy and the Slayerettes fighting the evil of the Hellmouth.