'Pretty Little Liars' Lucy Hale on hair color controversy!

If you're a "Gossip Girl" fan and aren't familiar with the eight book series, "Pretty Little Liars," you're in for a TV treat Tuesday (June 7) when ABC Family's hot new summer show premieres.

The Dish Rag caught up with Lucy Hale, who plays Aria Montgomery, at a "Pretty Little Liars" event at Barnes and Noble in Los Angeles on Saturday (June 5). We chatted about the series, the girls' secrets and the controversy over the cast's hair color which is different from the way the girls are described in Sara Shephard's novels.

About the initial fan reaction (and online petition) to the girls casting, Lucy explains that while they may not look like the way the book's characters were described (Hanna was a brunette, Spencer's hair was dark blond, Emily had red hair and Aria was a brunette) or were shown on the covers, "We have kept the same characteristics, we go through the same things, we just don't look exactly like the girls."

She hopes the fans will change their minds and compares the initial fan reaction to PLL casting to that of "Twilight."

"When "Twilight" started, everyone was saying, Kristen Stewart isn't right for role," Lucy explains. "But now, no one imagine anyone different."

She's right about that. If memory serves, there was even some initial dismay over the casting of Robert Pattinson! Can you imagine?

To prepare for the show, Think GG and all the accompanying intriguing text messages, but with four high school girls in a privileged community, a murder, a mysterious disappearance, a lesbian character (maybe), sex with a teacher, and something terrible about Jenna.

It makes Serena van der Woodsen's dark past look like a comedy and Blair Waldorf's scheming appear positively angelic.

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