Trivia

Became engaged to actor Richard Ruccolo in October 2001.

Broke off engagement with actor Richard Ruccolo in April 2003.

Has two dogs, Buck and Pearl, and two cats, Sadie and Savannah.

Is a close friend of actress Jennie Garth.

Attended Valley Professional High School in Studio City, California; named class valedictorian in 1992.

Won the Miss Junior America beauty pageant [1987]

Won Teen Magazine’s Great Model Search [1988]

Made Cover Girl Magazine’s Model of the Year [1989]

Admitted an ongoing struggle to fit Hollywood’s waifish beauty ideal.

Early on into production, was considered for the role of Corley James in her movie Just Pray (2005) before becoming director of the film.

Tied with another girl, Tiffany Weber, for the crown of Teen Magazine’s Great Model Search 1988.

Listed her Studio City home at $2.8 million. The house, built in 1963, has five bedrooms and 5 1/2 bathrooms in slightly less than 5,000 square feet. [2004]

Started her own production company, Tit 4 Tat Productions.

Taking the advice of her uncle, screenwriter/actor Roger Ernest, she began modeling at the age of eight.

Her father is of German descent. Her mother is of Greek, Turkish, and Welsh descent.

The guests at her wedding included “Beverly Hills, 90210″ (1990) co-stars Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling, and Lindsay Price.

Romantically linked to David Strickland at the time of his death [1999]

Was offered a role on “Charmed” (1998) to replace Shannen Doherty, but turned it down. [2001]

Wedding dress was designed by Vera Wang [2005]

Accepted an invitation to serve on the National Advisory Council of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. [2006]

Ranked #43 in “100 Greatest Teen Stars” (2006).

Volunteered at Camp Rainbow Gold, a summer camp for children stricken with cancer, located near Ketchum, Idaho, USA. [2006].

Ranked #95 in Stuff magazine’s “102 Sexiest Women In The World” (2002).

Her middle name Amber, was chosen by her grandmother. She initially dropped it from her name professionally, in order to be taken more seriously as an actress.

Won the CLCA Green Image Award presented by the “Green Expo/Green Image Awards” for her contributions to help residents learn sustainable living techniques and support the California Green Movement [2009].

Made USA network audition casting history, when the role of Elizabeth Burke on “White Collar” (2009) took her no more than 3 hours to read for her scene with Tim DeKay before it was finally decided that she was cast.

Middle sister of Todd Tesen and Schuyler Thiessen.

She and her husband, Brady Smith, are expecting their first baby in May 2010 [November 9, 2009].