Malin Akerman has made a career of being a chameleon. She was Katherine Heigl’s blonde bombshell sister in 27 Dresses, the dark-haired, sultry superhero in Watchmen and now she’s red-headed Ronnie, a mom of two married to Vince Vaughn in the comedy Couples Retreat. Off screen, the 31-year-old actress is happily married to musician Roberto Zincone, whom she met when they were in a band together. “He was the drummer in the band, which is a fantastic way to meet a man,” she says. “Musicians are very, very sexy.” iVillage spoke with Akerman about how she keeps things with her significant other strong, which costar was brave enough to go commando during a scene and why her tresses are ever-changing.

There’s a scene in Couples Retreat in which you’re totally annoyed by your husband when you ask him to help you pick out fixtures and he says, “I like the silver one” — and they’re all silver. Why can every couple can relate to that?

For guys, certain things are not that important. I know because my husband is a drummer and he’s obsessed, of course, with drums. So he’s on Web sites all the time and he’s like, “Baby, baby, which one do you like best?” and I’m like, “That one, with the silver things on it.” And he says, “They all have silver things on them.” It could be reversed. It’s like when women walk in with a new dress and you’re super-excited and you’re like, “Baby, what do you think about this?” and he says, “Oh, it’s nice.” That’s just the wrong answer.

What did Couples Retreat teach you about relationships?

That they’re complicated. I’ve been in a relationship for the past six years, and I think the one thing I’ve learned is that you can’t lose sight of the person that you’re with. A lot of times when life happens you forget about your significant other and they fall into third place in your list of important things in life and you can’t do that. My husband and I have a date night once a week and we go to a restaurant or he cooks and we have dinner together. But then the phones are off and it’s just me and him.

What’s your advice for couples so that they don’t end up on a therapy retreat?

Having fun together is super-important. If you don’t do it, then your partner becomes a chore. The bedroom is very important as well. It keeps a relationship strong. That, and it’s sort of the cliché, but if you’ve got a good communication system, then you’re golden. My husband and I have not once in six years had a yelling match. We’ve actually sat down and communicated and listened. The great thing — and the reason I married this man — is because he listens and he does something about it, which is rare.

You’ve never had a yelling match?

It’s so crazy. It really is. That’s one of the things that make you say, “Wow this is so easy. It’s so easy. Is it supposed to be this easy?” and I finally just swallowed that pill and said after four years of being together, “Well, I guess this is the right relationship.” I’m pretty proud of myself. I’ve had some bad ones, so that’s why I was so shocked.

One of the first scenes you shot was of the four couples having to strip down to their skivvies in front of each other.

It’s a good way to get to know people right away. And Faizon Love went completely commando in that. For real. That wasn’t hard to act out. It was completely authentic. Literally he pulled down his drawers and there he was. All of him. It was fantastic. It was really brave on his part.

You’ve changed your look a lot. Your hair is red in this movie. You were blonde in 27 Dresses and a very dark brunette in Watchmen.

You know, it really isn’t by choice. I could do it just as good blonde, that’s no problem. It’s been quite the journey for my hair. It actually has never been my decision to go a different color with the hair. It always had to do with the character. I think this one was more production’s decision. I kind of agreed with them, just because she is a stay-at-home mom, and she’s more involved with her kids and getting the house ready. If you’ve ever been blonde, it’s a lot of upkeep to go in and get your highlights done and all that. And I think for Ronnie, that’s not realistic.

What color is next?

I don’t know. Maybe purple. We’ll see.

From iVillage