Sarah Shahi, the Lone Star state-born star of Life, has us itchin' to mess with Texas.

By Andrew Simon Whether she's wielding pom-poms or pistols, Sarah Shahi has no trouble getting our attention. The former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader first appeared as an extra in the film Dr. T & the Women (2000), but she's best known as the Latina DJ Carmen on Showtime's The L Word (YouTube "L Word Shane and Carmen"...trust). Now, the 28-year-old Spanish-Persian stunner puts her spin on an addict-turned-cop as somber detective Dani Reese on NBC's Life. Are we hoping to see Reese's pieces on prime time? Busted!

What's the transition from The L Word to Life been like?

Sarah Shahi: There's no transition from The L Word to Life. [Laughs]. Maybe the letter "L" [Laughs].

OK, but what about going from the sex scenes in L Word to the gunplay in Life? How much had you handled a gun before?

Sarah Shahi: Well, I'm from Texas, but surprisingly, I'd never held a gun until the show.

So was it strange pointing a gun at someone, even though you're acting?

Sarah Shahi: Yeah, I was going to the gun range before we started; I got the angst out there. But it's still weird. When I'm pointing a gun at someone, I really think I'm going to kill them. Then afterwards, I'm like, "I'm really sorry for pointing that gun right at your temple."

Getting back to the sex scenes, is there a different comfort level doing one with a guy as opposed to a girl?

Sarah Shahi: The good thing about doing a scene with a woman is that if you have any bits and pieces you don't want the camera to see, it's a lot easier to say, "Hey, can you put your hand over here?" Whereas with a guy, it can be a bit problematic for them if they get really into it.

You certainly seemed comfortable enough in the much-YouTubed studio scene with Katherine Moennig.

Sarah Shahi: That was actually my first day at work.

Really?

Sarah Shahi: Yeah, "This is Kate, this is Sarah, and in this scene Kate's going to go down on you." That's how it went.

Now that's employee orientation.

Sarah Shahi: Yeah, it broke the ice quickly. Home // CELEBRITIES // COMPLEX WOMEN // Sarah Shahi