Shares the same birthday as film composer Hans Zimmer and former Colorado governor Richard Lamm.

Her father is a banker and her mother is a corporate photographer.

Her favorite book is John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men".

Currently recording a pop album for Geffen Records [April 2006]

She is a fan of Audrey Hepburn.

Has appeared in 20 different operas singing in five languages.

Is an only child.

Attending Columbia University.

Her favorite designer is Ralph Lauren.

Took cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu in London.

Is a vegetarian.

Has celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in which the body can't tolerant any foods containing gluten and wheat.

Her favorite opera is "Carmen".

Cousin is Cecilia Becker, daughter of world-famous designer Vera Wang.

Is Dutch and Scot-Irish.

Hobbies include reading, horseback riding, and ballet.

Her favorite actors are Sean Penn (her Mystic River (2003) co-star) and Miranda Richardson (her The Phantom of the Opera (2004) co-star).

She obtained her high school diploma online via a Stanford University program.

Won Best Young Actress in 2004 Critic`s Choice Awards

In preparation for her role in The Phantom of the Opera (2004), she attended a séance at the Spiritualist Association of Great Britian, where a medium talked to her about her late grandmother.

Made her stage debut at seven years of age (she sang "Happy Birthday" for her audition) at the New York Metropolitan Opera. She made $5 a night singing with the children`s choir. According to her, "There were horses onstage that were getting $150".

Had never seen the stage version of The Phantom of the Opera (2004) prior to filming the screen version.

Attended the Spence School in Manhattan, an elite private girls` school that was also attended by Gwyneth Paltrow and Kerry Washington.