Glee-ful Supergirl
A Glee alumna, Melissa Benoist talks about being a role model to young girls and how Wonder Woman Lynda Carter inspires her
VANCOUVER, Canada --- First, a backgrounder: Supergirl is an American superhero action-adventure drama TV series developed by Ali Adler, Greg Berlani and Andrew Kreisberg (the latter two were the creators of
Arrow and The Flash), based on the DC Comics character Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, a costumed superheroine who happens to be the biological cousin of Superman and one of the last surviving Kryptonians. (Note: Season 2 of Supergirl will be available on HOOQ starting today, Oct. 10.)
Playing the titular role (and as Supergirl’s alter-ego Kara) is Melissa Benoist, a Glee alumna whose movie film credits include Whiplash, The Longest Ride (based on Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling novel) and Danny
Collins (with Al Pacino, Jennifer Garner and Annette Bening). Trivia: In 2012, Benoist was in Manila with Glee co-star Darren Criss (who is half-Filipino) as ambassadors of Coca-Cola’s new product Coke Mismo. Last week, The STAR was invited (along with 20 journalists from Latin countries) to visit the set of Supergirl (and Legends of Tomorrow, but more on that in a future issue) at the Warner Bros. Studios at the outskirts of Vancouver. The two other Filipino journalists in the group were Toronto-based Jayvi Aruta and Vancouverbased Rowena Papasin, with Vince Liwanag representing HOOQ.
Aside from Melissa, other members of the cast who sat with us for quickie interviews (each of them was pulled out of the set when not being shot) were Chris Wood, Chyler Leigh, Jeremy Jordan, Mehcad Brooks and David Harewood.
Excerpts:
How do you feel being a role model to little girls?
“I definitely think that that’s what Supergirl stands for — a role model for everyone, not exclusively to young girls. But, yes, I do feel like a role model to young girls.”
Do you think the media puts a lot of pressure on actors to be role models?
“It’s a little bit of unfair because you have your own life. Well, yeah, I do think that, especially with social media, there is a huge pressure for anyone in a public position to be a good role model for kids. But I also think that that brings a lot of freedom with it to just be yourself and share how empowering that can be to be true to who you are at all times. And I do think that you just have to separate yourself a little bit. You have to keep a bit of yourself to yourself, a lot like the way Kara or Supergirl does.”
How has Supergirl changed your life?
“It hasn’t changed that much. I mean, I get to do a job that I’ve done practically my whole life and have always loved doing, and so that makes me very happy. So I don’t know how much it has really changed my life or who I am. I guess that if it did, the change was for the better.”
Do you feel comfortable in your costume?
‘Oh yes, I do. I can put it on by myself. Oh yes, it does take a while to put it on and to take it off, it takes some effort. Otherwise, it’s comfortable, it’s amazing!”
What do you love most about your role?
“Gosh, that’s a hard question. Uhm, I mean essentially when you get to play these superheroes that have their alter egos, it really is like playing two roles. You get to really explore every little bit of this character, you know, how she is when she really feels truly confident and how she is when she is hiding a part of herself so I feel really fortunate to be able to do that. My favorite part of the role? I like being Kara in the office. I think they’re the most fun for me to play those scenes.”
Really, why?
“Why? She’s just a goofball. It’s so fun to play Kara; she is infectious to me and I have fun in every scene where she’s being silly-goofy Kara.”
By the way, how will you celebrate your 28th birthday (last Oct. 4)?
“Oh, my birthday!” (Laughs) “I’ll be here (on the set). I mean, my way of celebrating is very low-key. Just a nice dinner and relaxing with our crew, just spending time with people whose company I really enjoy.”
Having come from Glee, you must be excited about the singing parts?
“I can’t wait for the musical episode; I cannot wait to see what they come up with. I think it’s such a good idea, these characters…The Flash and Supergirl… are so infectious and joyful and I think, for a song, they will be even more so.”
What was your reaction when you learned that Superman (played by Tyler Hoechlin) was joining the show’s Season 2?
“…yes, Supergirl’s cousin. He’s in the first two episodes and he will definitely enliven and complicate things. There’s a really beautiful family dynamic between the two Kryptonians and I am very excited about Tyler being on the show. Also, I think it’s about time. All the interactions that Kara had with Clark Kent last season, through the instant messaging and texting, never felt like enough to me.
“I always wanted them to stand together, so it’s incredible that we’ll get to see those two characters side by side this season. Their relationship is important because they are family. She has things
that he doesn’t and he has things that she doesn’t. That means they are going to reap benefits from each other and I am also excited about that.”
If you had Supergirl’s power to change the world, how would you use that power?
“Gosh, I wish there was a power that you could just press a button and make everyone get along. As simple as that might sound, I think I wish peace could be achieved with a simple push on a button.”
How do you feel being the only female superhero leading a show?
“Oh, remember that Lynda Carter was here long before me and she really set the stage. Having her here was incredible. I learned so much from her. And I was really inspired by the attitude she has about all of these, how she truly embraced about being Wonder Woman. She kind of gave the advice that you have to really embrace this character, who she is and
how people respond to that.” (Lynda Carter is appearing on Season 2 as the President of the United States.)
By the way, are you active on social media?
“I try to be. I wish I were better at it. I think that social media can be such a scary place but at the same time I think we are lucky to have a really large outpouring of positive energy. And the fans of the show and of the character and her mythology, they’re so passionate and supportive. It’s a good way to gauge whether or not what you’re doing is at par.”