Thirteen is based on the death of the film's writer.
Nicole Houston Reed ( born May 17 , 1988 ) is an American actress , screenwriter , singer-songwriter , and model known to the general public for her portrayal of vampire Rosalie Hale in The Twilight Saga ( 2008 -- 2012 ) . She became known in 2003 , after the release of the film Thirteen , directed by Catherine Hardwicke , for which she was credited with Hardwicke as a co-writer of the screenplay , and in which she played a lead role . Thirteen is a 2003 American semi-autobiographical drama film , directed by Catherine Hardwicke , and written by Hardwicke and Nikki Reed , based on events from Reed 's life at age 12 and 13 .