It's no secret that Kristen Stewart has the 'Twilight' films to thank for putting her on the map ... and on posters lining the bedroom walls of teenagers all over the world.

In 'Welcome to the Rileys,' Stewart conquers a role so intense, so unexpected, it would make Bella Swan blush. As Mallory, a runway stripper who finds a kindred spirit in James Gandolfini, Stewart's angst-filled performance has tongues wagging ... and critics talking.

"It's not raunchy or anything, it's actually like a really sweet story," Stewart says of 'Welcome to the Rileys.'

Kristen Stewart and James Gandolfini, both fueled by mega pop culture phenomenons like Twilight and The Sopranos, drew quite a crowd Monday night during the Cinema Society and Everlon Diamond Knot Collection screening of Welcome to the Rileys. Guests like Christina Hendricks, Gerard Butler and Danny DeVito stepped out to see the film, which tells the tale of a young, wayward teenager (Stewart) who creates a bond with the Rileys (Gandolfini and Melissa Leo). Stewart admitted she shares a sense of humor with her character but is more demure.  “I’m not as vulgar as she is.” She paused and continued, “I do curse, just not nearly as badly.”

While promoting her film Welcome to the Rileys Kristen Stewart opened up about how she was able to get into character, including actually going to a strip club! “I went to my first strip club,” Kristen told reporters. “Upon entering the guy was like ‘You’ll have to come back later if you want a job.’ ”

And did she actually learn how to pole dance? The answer is yes!

“I learned how to pole dance although you never really see it. You do for a second; it’s like in silhouette. It really hurts and you don’t realize of course it’s really going to show.”

What surprised her the most about making the film?

In the upcoming "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn," Kristen Stewart's character, Bella Swan, becomes a mother. But that's a reality the actress says she has a hard time comprehending. "My best friend just had a baby. She's my age. So I'm a godmom now, which is ... crazy," said the 20-year-old during an interview to promote her upcoming film "Welcome to the Rileys."