Tara Reid reveals stripping off for sexy bikini pics for American Pie shoot is the ‘highlight’ of her movie career

SHE'S the Hollywood blonde bombshell who rocketed to fame as hot pin-up Vicky Lathum in teen comedy American Pie.

Tara Reid, 42, has since starred in the film's sequels, Van Wilder - alongside Ryan Reynolds - and the cult Sharknado franchise which is gearing up for its sixth and final instalment next week.

She's also delved into the world of reality TV, appearing in our very own Celebrity Big Brother as well as her own E! show Taradise.

In recent years her personal life and body image have made more headlines than her acting, but Tara didn't want to dwell on that in an exclusive chat with The Sun Online.

Fondly remembering the success of the original American Pie in 1999, she explained: "I think that time was when I was in my hey day.

"I remember the first time I was on the cover of Rolling Stone, and that's when I thought 'I'm doing pretty good.'

"That was just awesome. That's a highlight."

The film was Tara's first box office smash, racking up more than $100million in the US alone, and came after appearances in cult classic The Big Lebowski, Urban Legend and Cruel Intentions.

On Monday night her latest project - Sharknado 6 - will premiere in UK.

The outrageously silly franchise has proven a surprise hit with film fans charmed by its crazy concept, celebrity cameos and lo-fi CGI.

Tara appreciates the series isn't for everyone, but insists the loose storylines and reality-defying effects make for an entertaining ride.

She said: "It's so wacky no one even knows what's going on. That's the beauty of this movie, no one knows what's happening - including us.

"You get the outline of the script, but then memorising your lines for the movies is a joke because everyday we get 30 new pages.

"It's a lot of fun. Anyone that has a sense of humour, this is the kind of movie for them, but if they're looking for an Academy Award, then definitely not for them."

In a series which has seen huge great whites flying through space and a human newborn baby pulled from the belly of shark, it might surprise fans to to hear Tara claim number six is the craziest yet.

"This one really rounds it up,"; she said. "This one is the most out there and crazy one.

"I think it really goes full circle. It's going to make sense at the end of the movie.

"It's going to be sad when the franchise is over, and I think people are going to be really surprised and they'll love it."

There'll be action scenes and stunts galore, and fans can be safe in the knowledge that Tara and her castmates stepped up and performed them themselves.

She said: "We really go there and do it. On green screen we're attached to harnesses.

"Sometimes its scary, you go up into the air and you're counting on people to make sure they're holding you right."

The Sharknado fandom is something that will live long in Tara's memory, with their commitment to honouring the film legendary.

"It brings a lot of people together," said Tara. "They have Sharknado parties. They go crazy for Sharknado, they come up to me with nets in their hair and sharks... the things I've seen. It's wild."

It's fair to say the franchise shuns accurate marine biology in favour of delivering the biggest shocks and laughs possible.

And Tara is honest when it comes to her own limited knowledge of the marine creatures.

"People really think I have all this education on sharks. I'm like 'guys, they're plastic sharks, they look ridiculous, I know nothing about sharks.'"

Now that Sharknado has finally come to an end, five years after the original first aired, Tara is doing anything but taking her foot of the pedal.

She said: "Right now I've got seven movies coming out and they're all completely different.

"There's horror, comedy and sci-fi. I love to act it's my favourite thing to do and to play all these different characters. It's something I really enjoy."

The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time will premiere in the UK on Monday 20 August at 10pm on SYFY

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