Wise yet spunky, she's often the only voice of reason in this complex, soapy show. We love her as the best friend who keeps Lucas grounded, and as the girlfriend/wife who helped Nathan change his reckless ways.

So when she does something bad, like leave her husband and run away with a sleazy musician ... well, it's a bit hard to take for us Haley fans.

Nevertheless, this plot twist allowed new opportunities for Lenz, who has a background in musical theater. For one month, Lenz, 24, joined Tyler Hilton (who plays the sleazy musician), Michelle Branch and Gavin DeGraw in the "Ÿ'One Tree Hill' Concert Tour," a real-life incarnation of Haley's runaway act.

Last month, The Mix caught up with Lenz - a former Hackensack resident - while she was filming on the set of "One Tree Hill" in Wilmington, N.C. Here's what she had to say about the tour and the show, which returns at 9 p.m. Tuesday on The WB with new episodes:

Hi, Bethany! How's the tour?

It's been great, and they've been very well-received. The first couple of shows, for me, were about trying to figure out: What the heck is this about? How do I do this? What do I expect? After the first two shows, it was a breeze.

How does being on tour compare to being on the set of a film? Which lifestyle do you prefer?

I don't know. This tour probably is not the best gauge of what a tour's really like. I mean, I don't have my own tour bus. I sort of hop on Tyler [Hilton]'s bus for the short ride, and I fly for the long ride. And it's a lot of fun, but I don't really know if I'd use this as a gauge.

But there's a huge difference. They're both long hours, but either way, it's fun.

Did you ever aspire to be a pop star?

Not really. I've always been more of a musical theater kid. I love being able to do both at the same time. Yeah, I don't know if I'd want to be a pop star going on the road and do that. That might be life for someone else.

So ... what can you tell us about upcoming episodes?

I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry. I wish.

Well, can you just tell us if there's a chance for Haley and Nathan?

Oh, there's always a chance. There's also a chance that they may not. I don't even know. They haven't told me anything.

What do you like best about playing Haley?

I love her character. I really like the opportunity to give young girls a young woman to relate to. And just being able to share my heart behind the character. Because the writers write the words, but I get a chance to really play it out.

So it's fun to be able to share with the audience my perception of whatever she's going through, how she's dealing with something, or when she's in the wrong. Or just anything. It's a great character to play because I relate to her so much.

Can you relate to her decision to leave her husband and follow her dream?

No, I would never do that. I understand it, which is a reason why I'm grateful to play the part. Because characters are flawed; they need to not be perfect.

And I'm really appreciative that they wrote this for a character because it's important for people to know that you can't - especially when you get married - you can't all of a sudden decide that you want things for yourself now. It's not how you make relationships work.

If they were still dating, this would be a totally different issue, but the fact that they've committed to each other and she said, "You're my husband, we're becoming one now" - she doesn't have a right anymore to say, "This thing I want to do is just for me."

Because there is no longer any "me." It's me and you together. This is what we do. There is obviously individual personalities, but you have another person to consider. You don't disappear when you get married.