The career paths of child stars can either end up as inspiring success stories or engrossing train wrecks.  There appears to be no rhyme or reason as to how an individual will handle the fame as they mature, but Alexa Vega (Spy Kids) seems ready to complete her transition into adulthood.  After having recently turned 24, Vega is far from adolescence, but is just now preparing to take on a role that centers on her sexuality.  Starring as KillJoy in Robert Rodriguez's Machete Kills, Vega surprised her fans and co-workers alike with how far her new character is willing to go.  Hit the jump to see what she had to say about her risque role and embracing her sexuality. 

In a recent interview with THR, Vega talked at length about her upcoming role in Machete Kills, the sexuality surrounding her character and what the opportunity means for advancing her career.  We recently shared a set photo of Vega in costume and it definitely turned heads as most people recognized the name as a tween in the Robert Rodrguez Spy Kids films.  But much like Taylor Lautner going from a kid action star in a Rodriguez picture to becoming a sex symbol in The Twilight Saga, Vega now appears ready to make the transition.

Vega talked about stepping on set in her costume for the first time under the eyes of people she's worked with so long that she considers them family:

"The first time I walked out in my outfit on set, everyone was like, 'Wow, you're not allowed to wear that!'"

We'll probably get our first full look at the costume when Machete Kills debuts next year.  But Vega did reveal a few more details about her character, KillJoy.  Vega described the hitwoman as a "bodyguard of a whore house," saying:

"I've never done anything like this. I'd never felt comfortable enough, and I never thought this would be the project where I'd take a step forward."

That's not to say that Vega has been completely sedentary since her Spy Kids days.  She's played a student activist who staged protests against racial discrimination in the 2006 HBO Films picture, Walkout and was central to the plot of Repo! The Genetic Opera. But the KillJoy character stands apart.

"My characters have always been light, and (KillJoy) is the first role to challenge that."

While sex certainly sells, the role clearly presents a challenge for Vega:

"This was all about owning my sexuality.  I worked really hard for it in a way that I never had to work hard for something before."

Hopefully, Machete Kills is only the beginning of a fruitful career for Vega who, in her own words, wants to continue exploring and keep people guessing.