Typically, there are few easier celebrities to write about than Megan Fox.

We cite a couple controversial quotes by the actress, post a few scantily-clad pictures of her and watch as women write in to bash her and men write in to say what they want to do to her.

It's a classic formula, but it's one that's been disrupted by a new feature on Fox: she's the focus of a lengthy article in The New York Times Magazine. No offense Maxim, but that's a real, respected publication!

The latest issue describes Fox as "a devoted student of stardom, past and present, she knows how to provide her own color commentary — a narrative to go with the underwear."

The magazine goes on to detail various quotes by the star, stating none were accidental. As the author puts it, Fox understands that "noise plus naked equals celebrity."

But her celebrity is in jeopardy, considering the lack of box office success for Jennifer's Body, as well as a growing backlash from her own gender.

“Women tear each other apart,” Fox said. “Girls think I’m a slut, and I’ve been in the same relationship since I was 18. The problem is, if they think you’re attractive, you’re either stupid or a whore or a dumb whore. The instinct among girls is to attack the jugular.”

It's hard to argue with that, as anyone that's attended middle school can attest to.

Throughout the very long article, Fox goes on to talk about her public persona, comparisons to Angelina Jolie and more. Here are a few excerpts from the piece:

On her image: "Being a celebrity is like being a sacrificial lamb. At some point, no matter how high the pedestal that they put you on, they’re going to tear you down. I created a character as an offering for the sacrifice. I’m not willing to give my true self up...The reality is, I’m hidden amongst all the insanity. Nobody can find me.”

On interviews in men's magazines: "There’s something so ridiculous about always being in your underwear in those magazines, and you know the interview is going to run opposite those pictures. So, there’s a character that talks to all of them.”

On comparisons to Jolie: “She’s so serious and stoic. I’m the opposite. When I do interviews, I say things that I think are hysterical. But because we live in a world of sound bites, you’re not allowed to have a sense of humor. Sarcasm doesn’t translate in print at all."

On false stories about her: "I recently had an urge to get a Twitter account to explain myself. But me contradicting a news story is not going to make my words fact. It will just create a new news story. There’s no solving this: it’s completely its own monster. You have to come up with clever ways of getting your control back.”

On acting: “I’m not one of these people who grew up studying acting or went to theater school. I don’t know if I’m talented, I don’t know what I can do or can’t do."

On meeting Brian Austin Green: "[He] accidentally touched my leg. I remember literal electricity shooting through me and out me from every direction. It was like magic."

On the media: “They need to get hits on their blogs or sell their magazines. So everyone is something. And if I’m not a party girl, which I’m not, I then have to be the outrageous personality.”

We recommend picking up an issue of The New York Times Magazine. This is a revealing interview with Fox. Does any of it change your take on her?