People have placed too much hype surrounding Kara Zor-El's gender in the new television series "Supergirl." This is something that has gotten lead star Melissa Benoist quite frustrated because it shifts the focus away from the show's values.
"You know, I hate to say that I do [get frustrated] because I consider myself a feminist. I'm very proud to be a woman. But I do think focusing on it so much that you forget that it's a story about humanity and what it means to be saving people's lives. I don't know if it's frustrating, but I don't know the word for it," she revealed during an interview with Vanity Fair.
Another thing that has gotten Benoist concerned is the fact that audiences seem to want to see a sexier Supergirl costume. "You're going to get some people who want it to be more revealing. Because it's a girl and because they have different bodies than men I think people were really picky about it," she said.
Still, Benoist and the show's producers remain committed in presenting a sensible and modestly-dressed female superhero. Nothing about Benoist's costume as Supergirl hikes up or plunges, and even her footwear of choice (low-heeled boots) is very appropriate for crime fighting.
"I think it's modest in that you can believe someone could fight for their lives in that suit without having a wardrobe malfunction and something popping out," Benoist explained about her costume. "That's what I never understood about Wonder Woman. I'm like, 'How does she fight?'"
Only two episodes of "Supergirl" have been released so far, including the latest Nov. 2 episode, but Benoist hopes that even after it wraps up, people would still promote feminism and gender equality.
"Even after this show stops airing I hope that more and more strong females keep coming. If there were great parts for women on every other show then we wouldn't even have to have this conversation at all," she said.
