People.com special, 'The OC star summer'
BACK TO SCHOOL
The O.C. castmates (from left) Benjamin McKenzie, 26; Mischa Barton, 19; Adam Brody, 25; and Rachel Bilson, 24, hit the beach recently in Torrance, Calif., to film a scene for the third season of their FOX show. "I was so excited when we got back; it was like a big reunion," says Barton of returning to the show in July. Adds Bilson: "It's hard to say it's work. You have a good time with your friends."
ROCK STAR
Before heading back to the set, Brody played Hollywood club Troubadour with his indie-rock band, Big Japan, on July 6. There, he had a built-in fan base: costars Barton and Bilson, his real-life girlfriend. But the drummer, whose five-piece group released the EP
Music for Dummies this summer, isn't ready to headline arenas just yet. "I wouldn't want (a major-label record deal) unless we were good enough," he says.
OFFSCREEN CHEMISTRY
Bilson and Brody – who have been dating for almost two years – spent the summer hanging out in L.A. together – along with their pit-bull terrier, Penny Lane. But the couple (in Hollywood on July 19) also squeezed in work: Bilson shot
The Last Kiss with Zach Braff, and Brody filmed
In the Land of Women with Meg Ryan in Canada.
LUCKY GIRL
On Aug. 9, Bilson celebrated being the September cover girl of
Lucky magazine with a soiree at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood. "I'm very flattered," she said of the gig. "Everyone said that September is an important month, and I'm so grateful to do it." On hand to fete their costar: Brody and Barton.
FRIENDS FOREVER
BFFs Barton and Bilson (at the
Lucky party Aug. 9) devoted part of their summer to one of their favorite activities – shopping. One of their top spots? The Hillary Rush boutique in L.A. "They both have a great eye," says Rush. "And sometimes they buy the same thing." Now
that's compatibility.
