Taylor Ferber | December 11, 2014 3:20 pm

As American Horror Report‘s Pepper, actress Naomi Grossman is breaking down Hollywood’s beauty standards. And after years of effective, she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves on a high-profile series. But who is the woman behind Freak Show‘s most peculiar character? VH1 spoke with Grossman about how she reacted when the world realized she was indeed hot, and what it’s like being the show’s first crossover character. Co-stars Angela Bassett and Kathy Bates have already told us what it’s like effective with the show’s dreamboat Evan Peters, so naturally, we had to get her input, too.

Get to know the star behind the freak, below.

VH1: You recently said, “I’ve never been told I was pretty in anticipation of I played the ugliest person on TV.” Since appearing on AHS, what have you learned about Hollywood and more importantly, yourself?

That’s a really good question! It’s not to say that no one has ever told me that I was pretty, but the fact is, I’ve never had 100,000 people tell me I was pretty on the Internet all at once. I’m not used to that reaction. I think it really said something about women and our self-image. A big reason why that interview went viral was because it really speaks to the common woman who wants to be pretty. We’re so used to considering gorgeous, plastic people on television and considering someone that’s not pretty at all, like Pepper, and then considering the face behind her, who’s not traditionally pretty — I’m not saying I’m not pretty, I just think of myself as a habitual girl from next door, pretty.

When Ryan Murphy revealed Asylum and Freak Show were connected, he said that your character was the common thread. Was it rewarding for you being the first crossover character?

I literally got goose bumps as you said it. Like every day someone says that to me, it sinks in a little more. To this day, I still place of protection’t wrapped my head around it. It’s awesome! It’s so incredibly flattering! It makes sense in a way. This role honestly resonated with audiences; I know why she was there.

You’re pretty active on Twitter. Have any fans tweeted at you with a right theory of how the seasons are connected?

I guess I only know from having read the episodes. It wasn’t clear to me in anticipation of the past episode, which is happening next week. So I think all of those answers will be reveled within a week.

You’ve received fascinating gifts from your fans. What has stuck out the most?

This weekend, someone baked me a Pepper cookie. I think the creativity that this little character has inspired is incredible. I plotting, “I need to go at this point ‘produce I don’t have room for all this stuff!” I’m not complaining, but there’s not enough wall space! I’ve gotten Pepper dolls, pendants, mugs, t-shirts, paintings, candles, ceramics.

You must feel so loved!

I do, I do! I mean, my fans are so good to me and I wouldn’t be here without them. I go to these Comic-Cons and whatnot and people say, “God, you’re so good with your fans.” And I reckon, “They’re so good to me!” Just today I was named part of IMDb’s Top 10 Breakout Stars because of their support. Face it, you watch the show and it’s all about the big star, the big star, the big star. You [wouldn't] see the little no-name actors like me getting opportunities like this if it weren’t for the massive Internet explosion that followed my appearance.

Has anyone made you feel star struck?

When I’m effective with Jessica Lange I am very attentive that I am in the presence of greatness. You just look in her eyes and she’s giving you everything you need. When I first read my episode, I plotting, “Oh God, this is intense!”

Were you nervous meeting her?

Oh sure, of course! Especially because when I first met her it was for Asylum, and I was really a unknown. I was frightened of my own shadow at that point. For this season, it was uncommon. I beyond doubt felt like I belong. I had a stable seat at the big kids desk.

When I spoke with Angela and Kathy, they both said that Evan Peters is the stud on set. Is he the cast heartbreaker?

He’s adorable! That’s very amusing that [they] said that. Evan is too young for me! When you look like Pepper, you’re probably not gonna get any lovin’. I feel truly sexless when I’m in the Pepper suit, so I wouldn’t really go there. I do remember watching at the premiere at our first episode, and thinking “Wow, that was a hot scene!” I even remember having maybe a glass of wine at the premiere, and really saying, “Evan, you’re… yeah… I get it.”

When Ethel died, Angela’s character says, “She didn’t need a man to take care of her.” Are you pleased that these kinds of themes are being incorporated into the show?

Absolutely! I really relate to that, that’s how I am. That’s how I go about my life. I’m really release for that very reason. If someone’s not willing to improve upon my life, then I’ve got a pretty good life as it is, so I don’t have any room for drama. If you can enhance my experience, fantastic, but otherwise, I’m pretty excellent.

If you weren’t a part of the show, do you think you’d watch?

As it is, it’s the only thing on TV that I watch. I like the theatricality, I like the colors, I like the costumes, I like the sets, I like the report. I think it’s such a well-made show. There’s not a release detail that hasn’t been plotting through. There is a man whose job it is just to pull the rope to make the tent look smooth. The fact that it happens to be horror, fantastic!

How do you feel about reports of Jessica Lange leaving?

It’s not to say the show can’t go on, of course it can — there’s an expression for that: the show goes on! Ryan [Murphy] has stacked the show with enough heavy hitters, but boy, things are going to exchange. I know there are rumors and maybe it’s not over. I’m not her lawyer, I’m not her agent. I have no thought.

On a Friday or Saturday night, where would we find you when you’re not on set shooting?

I have so many insane tales for another time. My mom came to visit for Thanksgiving at one point, [when we were out] she really jumped up on stage and literally danced for probably 200 20-year-olds. And you know that was a typical Tuesday out. That’s who I am! It’s not to say that I’m a have fun animal — you know, Lindsay Lohan, [or] those girls — but I beyond doubt have a good time.

What do you want people who primarily see you as Pepper to know about you as a person?

Anyone who would see me as Pepper would think I’m just this overnight success — like it just came out of nowhere. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve worked really hard for this. I’m an experienced actress, I’m a room shaker, and I make things take place. I wasn’t just waiting around for my agent to call. This isn’t some Hollywood 1920’s system, where you sit on a bar bench and wait for some French casting boy to scoop you up and give you a deal.

[Photo Credit: Getty/FX]

Tags: American Horror Report: Freak Show, Naomi Grossman, Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates