When HALEY BENNETT and her mom moved cross-country from Naples, Florida, to Los Angeles almost two years ago to focus on the aspiring starlet's music career, they didn't expect Bennett's big break would involve Hugh Grant and 16 backup dancers. Soon after arriving in Tinsel Town, she acquired an agent and began taking acting classes. A few auditions later and poof!—the fresh-faced 18-year-old was staring at a huge role in a feature film. But Bennett doesn't necessarily consider herself a full-fledged actress yet. This unsigned artist has her eye on singer/songwriter stardom and hopes her role in this month's Music And Lyrics will pique the interests of some record labels. Hear that, A&R people?

So that's really you singing in Music And Lyrics? How do you feel about playing a pop star?

Yes, I do all of my own singing. But the music I usually do has a lot more, um, integrity... If you know what I mean. The character I play is more of a Britney Spears-like singer.

What type of music do you prefer to perform?

I'm more of the singer/songwriter type. I really love Jewel. If you put her, Sarah McLachlan and Avril Lavigne in a blender, that's me! I used to perform all over L.A. before I started working on the movie. I had a gig last New Year's opening for the Pussycat Dolls, but it was canceled due to rain.

So do you typically listen to those sort of female singers?

Yeah, but I also listen to a lot of bands. I absolutely love [Los Angeles radio station] KROQ and bands like 30 Seconds To Mars, My Chemical Romance [and] I really love Shiny Toy Guns.

You have dance sequences in the movie. Had you ever danced before you started shooting?

No! And it was so hard! I had six weeks to learn the choreography, and I worked my ass off. I'd go to the gym at night and stand in front of the mirror practicing for hours. It would take me two or three days to learn some of the stuff that would take the other dancers five minutes.