These days, our knowledge of celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by anonymous "insiders." After a while, it's easy to forget that stars are real people. That's why HuffPost Celebrity decided to launch its all-new #nofilter quick-fire question-and-answer series. Because how well do you know someone until they've shared their guiltiest pleasures?


Michelle Trachtenberg got her start as a '90s Nickelodeon wunderkind as Nona F. Mecklenberg on "The Adventures of Pete & Pete." The actress segued to the silver screen with "Harriet The Spy" and later with more adult roles in "Eurotrip" and "17 Again."


But if the image of a wee Trachtenberg scribbling in her notebook still persists, you haven't seen her lately. The actress wowed on the red carpet of her upcoming National Geographic Channel TV movie, "Killing Kennedy," in which she stars as Marina Oswald.


The 28-year-old appeared on HuffPost Live yesterday (Nov. 7) to discuss her weighty role in the drama. While in town, she also gracefully took HuffPost Celebrity's #nofilter challenge.


When's the last time you cried?

Um, last night. My father passed away recently and around this time is his birthday. So I realized today ... it was a good, healthy, you know, just honoring his passing.


What's your guiltiest pleasure?

Oh, um, technically it's sex! But bad reality TV.


What's the working title of your autobiography?

[Laughs] "Vodka and Caviar and How I Didn't Fail: An Autobiography by Michelle Trachtenberg."


What technology do you hope gets invented in the next 10 years?

Flying cars, duh! Or a time machine. You know what? There are too many movies about time machines for there not to be like, a secret machine in the vaults of our government. So I think they need to bring it out and just share it with the world.



Also on HuffPost:




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  • Camila Alves McConaughey


    <strong>What's the silliest rumor you've read about yourself? </strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/11/camila-alves-style_n_3905769.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">That I was a witch.</a>




  • Nick Wechsler


    <strong>What's your guiltiest pleasure?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/12/nick-wechsler-nofilter_n_3915289.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">Porn … and murder. Yeah, killing people while watching porn. No, no, let’s see … one of my guilty pleasures, and I’ve said this a bunch of times which is insane that I even put this out there, is “America’s Next Top Model.” I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I love it. Most of them are brainless idiots and that’s the reason I watch it. I don’t watch for pretty people.</a>




  • Alyson Hannigan


    <strong>If you could give advice to a younger version of yourself, what would it be?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/17/alyson-hannigan-nofilter_n_3942001.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">Really just focus on the positive and see things half full. For a lot of my life I didn’t and the day that I did switch over, everything got better. I decided I was sick of being negative and there was a moment where I was like “I’m going to stop this,” and my life got better from that moment on.</a>




  • Kelly Bensimon


    <strong>What do you wear to bed?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/kelly-killoren-bensimon-nofilter_n_3948882.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">It depends. Sometimes I wear cotton men’s pajamas, sometimes I wear a little nighty, but I always wear something to bed. I think it’s a moment to kind of dress up.</a>




  • Josh Duhamel


    <strong>What celebrity's hand print would you like to hang on your wall?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/19/josh-duhamel-baby-names_n_3779685.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">Probably Bette Midler’s. I love Bette Midler.</a>




  • Jennifer Love Hewitt


    <strong>Tell us something we DON’T know about you.</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/jennifer-love-hewitt-pregnancy_n_3796739.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">[I] do make lists every day for what I’m going to do and accomplish during the day, and if I do other things that were not on my list, I will actually write them down so that I can check them off. I’m a little bit of a weird list person.</a>




  • Alyssa Milano


    <strong>What's something you do when you're alone that you don't do in front of anyone else?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/alyssa-milano-nofilter_n_3868313.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">I obsess over my skin in one of those magnifying mirrors. I hate it.</a>




  • Taylor Schilling


    <strong>If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/26/taylor-schilling-favorite-body-part_n_3818757.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">I probably would want steak or, like, a really big bowl of oatmeal.</a>




  • Julie Bowen


    <strong>What’s your biggest strength?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/09/julie-bowen-allergies_n_3894587.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">I think my ability to get up when my alarm says time to get up at 4:30 or 5:00 a.m. That is a contrary action to what a sane, human being wants to take and I take it anyhow and get my booty into work.</a>




  • Courtney Love


    <strong>What would people be surprised to know you've never done?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/26/courtney-love-rumors-no-filter_n_3644826.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter" target="_blank">Ecstasy.</a>




  • Kourtney Kardashian


    <strong>What’s your hidden talent? </strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/kourtney-kardashian-no-filter-interview_n_2433055.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Singing opera while juggling mangos.</a>




  • Kristen Stewart


    <strong>Have you ever stolen anything?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/20/kristen-stewart-nofilter-on-the-road_n_2318623.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Actually, no. I stole a pack of gum when I was younger and literally turned right around and gave it back. </a>




  • Emma Roberts


    <strong>What movie could you watch over and over?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/emma-roberts-reveals-her-love-of-kelly-clarkson-dating-deal-breaker-huffpost-nofilter_n_2393445.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">"Clueless." I know all the words! I love that movie.</a>




  • Kevin Bacon


    <strong>What's one thing you do when you're alone that you wouldn't do in front of someone else?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/30/the-bacon-brothers-nofilter-interview-a-prairie-home-companion_n_2213202.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Moisturize.</a>




  • Melissa Joan Hart


    <strong>What's the dumbest thing you've read about yourself?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/melissa-joan-hart-talks-family-90s-sitcom-characters_n_2303507.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">There is something out there about my ability to recite pi up to like, 40 numbers. I'm positive they are confusing me with someone else.</a>




  • Alicia Keys


    <strong>When do you lose your temper?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/28/alicia-keys-girl-on-fire-interview-nofilter_n_2205194.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">When people try to hold me back.</a>




  • Kristen Bell


    <strong>What's the silliest thing you've ever lied about?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/kristen-bell-shoplifting-huffington-post-celebrity-interview-no-filter_n_2004973.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">My great aunt congratulated me for being in the Batman movie. I said "Thank you." It wasn't until later that I realized she had confused "Christian Bale" with "Kirsten Bell" on the radio.</a>




  • David Hasslehoff


    <strong>If you could ask Kim Kardashian any question, what would it be?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/14/david-hasselhoff-guiltiest-pleasure-no-filter_n_2121345.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Why?!</a>




  • Christina Applegate


    <strong>What shows are always on your DVR?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/07/christina-applegate-style-fabkids-no-filter_n_2259563.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">"Homeland" is a big one. "Castle," "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart.</a>




  • Lisa Ling


    <strong>If you were on a reality TV show, what would it be called?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/lisa-ling-our-america-journalist-pregnant_n_2295818.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">"The Boring People Club" -- no wait, "The Travelers.”</a>




  • Tatyana Ali


    <strong>When is the last time you cried?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/15/tatyana-ali-nofilter-one-night-stands_n_2480128.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Tatyana Ali: I’m crying right now. I cry three times a day as part of my workout routine. It really targets the core. Great way to reduce bloating.</a>




  • Whitney Cummings and Chris D'Elia


    <strong>Who's your ideal drinking buddy, living or dead?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/whitney-cummings-chris-delia-no-filter_n_2131916.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Chris D'Elia: Tupac Whitney Cummings: Chelsea Handler</a>




  • Lenny Kravitz


    <strong>If you were undead, would you be a vampire, zombie or ghost?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/21/lenny-kravitz-jets-new-song-like-a-jet-nofilter_n_2167538.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">A ghost.</a>




  • Janel Parrish


    <strong>If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/08/janel-parrish-pretty-little-liar-nofilter_n_2433042.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">In-N-Out Burger!</a>




  • Giuliana Rancic


    <strong>What's your guiltiest pleasure?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/10/giuliana-rancic-no-filter-talks-texting-movie-theater-dental-hygiene_n_2272689.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Beauty pageants. I used to pray every night that I would become Miss USA. </a>




  • Julia Stiles


    <strong>If failure weren't an option, what's one thing you would do? </strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/06/julia-stiles-silver-linings-playbook-klepto-nofilter_n_2247613.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Be in a rock band.</a>




  • Kaitlin Olson


    <strong>What's your guiltiest pleasure? </strong><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/kaitlin-olson-nofilter-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia_n_2237097.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">The "Real Housewives" of wherever.</a>




  • Catelynn Lowell and Maci Bookout


    <strong>What shows are always on your DVR?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/teen-mom-stars-maci-bookout-catelynn-lowell-reveal-hatred-for-kim-kardashian-huffpost-nofilter_n_2159923.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Maci Bookout: "Suits" Catelynn Lowell: "Breaking Amish"</a>




  • Nikki Reed


    <strong>Who's your ideal drinking buddy, living or dead?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/18/nikki-reed-nofilter_n_2490037.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Nikki Reed: Is it horribly cliché to say Nora Ephron? I really would love to be in that mind for five seconds. I have a tremendous amount of respect for her. You know, women that inspire other women to better themselves and to really pave the way, so I have a lot of respect for her.</a>




  • Busy Phillipps


    <strong>What’s your secret/hidden talent?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/busy-philipps-fake-boob-job_n_2536432.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Busy Phillipps: I’m very crafty, and it’s not really a secret since the invention of Twitter and Instagram. But I make these pretty awesome 3D sculptural cakes and I make my daughter little crafty things and we do a lot of that stuff at my house, so it’s not a secret. Just my talent.</a>




  • Autumn Reeser


    <strong>If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/03/autumn-reeser-nofilter-last-resort_n_2231177.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">A really good bottle of wine. That's it.</a>




  • Sarah Paulson


    <strong>What happens in your recurring dream/nightmare?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/29/sarah-paulson-american-horror-story-huffpost-nofilter_n_2167758.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">I have to perform onstage in minutes and I don't know any of my lines and no one can find the script. I dream this constantly.</a>




  • Bobby Brown


    <strong>What's your favorite Motown song?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/16/bobby-brown_n_2143948.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"</a>




  • Cory Hardrict


    <strong>Have you ever set a Google Alert for yourself? </strong><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/18/cory-hardrict-talks-tia-mowry-lovelace-jennifer-lawrences-boyfriend-nofilter_n_2322667.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Yeah I have Google Alert. I’ve had it for a couple of years now because my wife, she told me about it. I wasn’t really into it, but I was like, "Cool, I’ll get one."</a>




  • Adam Pally


    <strong>What's your go-to excuse?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/26/happy-endings-star-adam-pally-interview-no-filter_n_2138404.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">AT&T</a>




  • Jill Zarin


    <strong>Who’s your celebrity crush?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/jill-zarin-reality-tv-huffpost-nofilter_n_2295812.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">J.Lo.</a>




  • Vinny Guadagnino


    <strong>If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/22/vinny-guadagnino-reveals-dream-job-favorite-meal-and-kris-humphries-bromance-nofilter_n_2171523.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Probably my mom's chicken cutlets.</a>




  • Kristin Cavallari


    <strong>What movie could you watch over and over?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/28/kristin-cavallari-wedding-baby_n_2568688.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Kristin Cavallari: “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”</a>




  • Neil Patrick Harris


    <strong>What’s one thing from your childhood wardrobe you wish you could wear now?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/22/neil-patrick-harris-puppet-dreams_n_2520048.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Neil Patrick Harris: I’m a big fan of the onesie.</a>




  • Bethenny Frankel


    <strong>What did you have for dinner last night?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/bethenny-frankel-last-mean-no-filter_n_2146245.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">I had a cobb salad and oysters and part of a crab cake and a little bit of a grilled artichoke and a lot of different little things that I shared with other people. And truffle fries.</a>




  • Ashley Madekwe


    <strong>What's your guiltiest pleasure?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/21/ashley-madekwe-revenge_n_2506086.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Ashley Madekwe: I love trashy reality TV, all of it. I watch "Housewives," "Shahs of Sunset," everything.</a>




  • Kendall & Kylie Jenner


    <strong>What movie could you watch over and over?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/kendall-jenner-kylie-jenner-nofilter_n_2489486.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Kendall: "Moulin Rouge." Kylie: "Mean Girls."</a>




  • Brooke Burke


    <strong>How do you take your coffee?</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/brooke-burke-charvet-recovery_n_2536787.html?utm_hp_ref=nofilter">Brooke Burke: Low-fat milk and an Equal. Extra hot, or not at all.</a>