Variety.com had the unique opportunity to sit down with Melissa Benoist to talk about Supergirl. Here are a few of the meaningful exerts. Head here for the full article.
How do you get the role of Supergirl?
I believe I was the first girl they saw. I think the same went for Grant. Ten auditions later, three screen tests later, two and a half months later… I got the call. Greg championed me the whole time and was in my corner. Even when I didn’t think the part was mine, he was always rooting for me. That support goes a long way, especially when I’m fighting for something I want so badly. His belief in me really touched me.
Why did you want the part? Not only because she’s a strong female and a female hero which I think is so important and will speak to so many people at this time right now in the world. I also was so drawn to her humanity, even though she is an extraterrestrial with powers. I was drawn to how flawed and complicated she is. She’s more complicated than you see in superheroes nowadays. Greg breathed that life into her from the get-go. He even said to me in one of the auditions, “She’s like the Annie Hall of superheroes” — and that sealed the deal for me. I was like, yes!
How did you feel when the pilot got picked up?
Elated! I was on cloud nine. I kind of had an instinct that it would be (picked up) because we all worked so hard and Greg brings so much passion it’s really infectious. Everyone working under Greg busts their butts, so I was like, it’s going to happen. So when it did, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had all this energy and didn’t know what to do with it. I wish I could have really flown away and done some somersaults in the air.
Do you feel any pressure?
Of course I do, but not in a negative way. I’m not necessarily a person who works well under pressure. But in this situation, I am so excited about it. I’m not going to let myself doing anything less than what I think people will want to see.
What does it feel like to play a superhero?
Not like what you would expect! There are the moments you feel like a badass and you feel empowered. You feel strong and confident. But I have to say there are moments when I step back and look at the bigger picture and I’m on the set with fire and explosions and I’m in the suit and I’ll have to do a doubletake and be like, “What am I doing?” This is hilarious and surreal and amazing.
What kind of training have you had to do?
Lots! The wirework for training is mostly core work. It’s mostly ab-centric — the whole area of the body that nobody wants to work out. You have to get strong. You have to carry your whole body weight when you’re up in the air.
Right from the Maid of Might herself, clearly she is someone that understands the responsibility of taking on a role of this magnitude. We've been loving the comments we've gotten from you guys, the fans, so please keep them coming below or hit up our forum with the best fans of Earth and Krypton
