One of TV’s breakout stars last season was Jessica Stroup as popular West Bev. high schooler Erin Silver in “90210.” But lately, the 22-year-old has been hitting the big screen in a string of horror flicks such as “Prom Night,” “The Hills Have Eyes 2” and her latest, “Homecoming,” starring alongside Mischa Barton.

“For actresses that are just starting out, horror movies usually have a lower budget and are willing to take on new talent,” Stroup explains the career move. “So I just jumped on.”

The L.A. resident envisions her career to evolve much differently than that of her famous co-star, who currently has gossip hounds in a frenzy over a recent hospital stay. “Keeping a seriousness about myself is important just so that the public eye doesn’t see you as a young tabloid starlet,” she says. “I want to be able to take on different roles, and for people to see me as a character, and not as Jessica.”
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I’m obsessed with smells. Some girls have insane amounts of shoes, I have an insane amount of perfumes and lotions. My signature is definitely Chanel Coco Mademoiselle.

What is the last song you listened to on repeat like a maniac?
The Wale and Lady Gaga song [“Chillin’”].

What is your go-to drink?
Formula 50 Vitamin Water with a package of Emergen-C Tropical in it.

What is your best or worst date?
My best was in Morocco. We were shooting in the desert and I was taken to an oasis at this amazing spa. They put little candles leading out the back door to a little canopy where we had dinner. It was dreamy.

What’s your favorite word?
Banana. It’s also my safety word — if I’m in a scene that’s kind of dangerous and there’s a stunt coordinator involved, I’m like, “If things are going wrong, I’m going to scream banana!”
Tina Chadha/Metro