"The Flash" Actor Sasha Calle Addressed Those Theories That She Isn't Playing Kara Zor-El's Supergirl In The Movie

"I remember watching [Wonder Woman] and feeling like I could do anything, and here I am now."

Alexander Tamargo / Getty Images for Warner Bros.

The Flash is (finally) dashing into theaters this week. Following the release of the trailer, fans couldn't keep quiet about their excitement to see Sasha Calle as Supergirl. The Boston native, who starred in and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her work in The Young and the Restless, sat down with BuzzFeed recently to discuss her historic casting as Kara Zor-El. 

She also shared her reaction to receiving a DM from The CW's Supergirl, Melissa Benoist, and explained why she thinks her portrayal of the beloved superhero is truly unique. Keep reading to discover 15 things we learned over Zoom with Sasha.

Warning: mild spoilers for The Flash ahead.

1. Can you share your thoughts on being the first Latina to play Supergirl?

Courtesy Of Warner Bros. Picture / Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/™ & © DC Comics

Sasha Calle: It's an honor, an absolute joy. I'm still pinching myself every day. My biggest hope is that my community knows that we belong on the big screen. Our stories are not limited; they are unlimited. We are powerful superheroes also on big screens globally. 

Wonder Woman did that for me. Gal Gadot did that for me. I remember watching that movie in 2017 and feeling like I could do anything and here I am. Now, I have her number which is a very wild situation. Still to this day, I'm like, "Gal is texting me right now. Is this my life?" 

But that's why I think representation matters. I want people to know that dreams are not an impossible thing. They are very reachable. No matter what anybody says. No matter how many no's you get in the entirety of your life: always follow your chest and what it's telling you.

2. You had a pretty emotional reaction to getting cast in this role. What do you remember about that day?

It was a very honest reaction. I had no idea that I was going to be Supergirl. First of all, I signed a contract for a no-name character in The Flash movie. And when Andy Muschietti, [the director], told me that [I'd been cast], I had this honest reaction. I was thinking, "I love you, Sasha, thank you for believing in yourself, no matter what anybody said. Thank you, thank you, thank you." It was this moment, "You did it, girl. You believed in yourself, and you didn't allow anyone to tell you otherwise." And for that, I am thankful and proud.

3. Melissa Benoist reposted your reaction and congratulated you. Did you get any advice from her at all?

Instagram: @sashacalle, Matthias Clamer / ©CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

No, it was a very small interaction. She reposted [the casting news] on Instagram. And look, her tagging me, period, was like, "Ah!" I just remember I called my little brother, Jacob, because we watched Supergirl together. I was like, "Melissa reposted the video and she tagged me." He was like, "No way!"

I sent her this really short message, just pretty much thanking her and telling her that it meant a lot to me. She was just so sweet. She was like, "You're perfect for this. Have fun and enjoy." And that means the world to me. Honestly, I get emotional speaking about this entire journey. Me and my brother watched all of Supergirl. We also watched The Flash because they coexist in the Arrowverse. So it meant a lot to me that she reached out and said congrats.

4. That's so cool! Do you have a favorite episode from Melissa's Supergirl series?

I think the pilot is amazing. I loved [Melissa's] intro. We get to meet every character, and then I'm [watching] like, "It's her!"

5. I have to ask, what was it like for you stepping into the Supergirl suit for the first time?

Warner Bros.

It was a trip for sure. First of all, the suit is very tight. When I was done, I was like, "Wow, getting into this thing is a mission." The first time that I fully got into it, it required three people which is hilarious. After that, I had the lovely staff with me every day. [Stephanie Paul] — from the costume department — and I would put on the suit together every single day. It's an honor to wear the Kryptonian emblem and to be portraying this character. 

6. What’s one thing that makes your Supergirl different from previous portrayals?

Instagram: @sashacalle

Her androgyny, I would say. The suit is so beautiful and it's a beautiful mix of femininity and masculinity. It's kind of androgynous, and it's mobile. It works as if you were to wear a suit that would protect you and allow you to move. I love it. It was really cool to see how it looks on camera as well.

7. There have been a lot of reactions to your short, dark hair as Supergirl. Was that a conscious decision to keep your hair darker considering the iconic character is mostly known for her blonde hair in the comics?

Warner Bros

That was all Andy's decision. Andy had a vision for her. He said that when he saw my self-tape when I auditioned for this then-untitled character, he knew. It's crazy as an actor to hear that. That's any actor's dream. But yeah, he had a vision. He asked me if I would cut my hair prior to me knowing or signing anything. So I promised him that I was going to cut my hair. When we got to that point, I was overjoyed. I think that this version of Kara Zor-El is really beautiful and strong. And she's really badass.

8. Speaking of darker hair, have you seen the theory that your version of Supergirl is actually Mia Kent, aka Cir-El from the comics instead of Kara Zor-El?

Courtesy of DC, Warner Bros.

She's Kara Zor-El, period! [Laughs]

9. Can you share a favorite behind-the-scenes moment from filming The Flash?

Warner Bros.

The scene where Kara Zor-El is being rescued while unconscious. We jump through a tunnel. In real life, there was a three-story slide; no ladder or anything. I did most of my stunts, 98% of them. But [during that scene], I looked at Eunice [Huthart], my stunt coordinator, and I was like, "So what's that for?" I was almost done. I was really close to wrapping. She was like, "That's the backslide." And I was like, "Well, can I slide down it?" She looked around and said, "We'll do it together."

I took my socks off and I literally climbed it with her. We both were like, "1,2,3!" and we just slid down, laughed, and rolled onto a mat. It was just such a kid-like moment. So love to Eunice for having that moment with me.

10. Did you get to keep anything from set?

I didn't get to keep anything!

11. What has been the most heartwarming fan encounter so far?

Alexander Tamargo / Getty Images for Warner Bros.

In general, people have been very loving. I send my entire heart to them for opening up their arms to me, and for accepting this character. I just can't wait for the world to see this Supergirl and to feel represented, seen, and connected. There was a photo one mama tagged me in with her little girl wearing the Supergirl suit. She had cut her hair short like mine and she looked beautiful. That was really emotional and super sweet.

12. Now that you've played Supergirl alongside The Flash and Batman, are there any other DC characters you’d want to interact with — maybe in future projects?

Courtesy Of Warner Bros. Picture / Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

I think doing anything with Gal [Gadot] would be incredible. I admire her so much. And Supergirl's cousin, Superman! That would be really cool as well. There's so much story for her. I'm just excited.

13. Are you attached to the upcoming, standalone Supergirl movie that was announced earlier this year by James Gunn?

All I'll say is that I hope to continue playing Supergirl. I love her with all my heart and I think Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is an incredible comic. Tom King really nailed it. And I think James is right: it is a really, really cool story [to tell].

14. I'm curious, who's your dream actor to work with?

Honestly, I'd love to work with Timothée Chalamet.

15. Lastly, what advice you would give to your 15-year-old self?

Warner Bros.

Keep dreaming big and keep going no matter what anybody says!

Thanks for chatting with us, Sasha! Be sure to catch The Flash in theaters on June 16.

Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.