[IMG:L]Smallville kicks off season seven with a family reunion when Clark Kent’s (Tom Welling) cousin Kara (a.k.a. Supergirl) soars into town from their home planet of Krypton. Toronto native Laura Vandervoort snagged the role just a few weeks ago and took a break from shooting in Vancouver, B.C. to meet the fans at this year’s Comic-Con convention in San Diego.
We ran into Vandervoort on the red carpet at Comic-Con’s Entertainment Weekly and Sci Fi party Saturday night at Hotel Solamar and she told us all about her ‘super’ new character.
Hollywood.com: You look incredible tonight! This is like your Supergirl unveiling dress… where is it from?
Laura Vandervoort: The dress is actually from Bebe…Honestly, this was a dress that I got at a photo shoot on the weekend. I had to pick something out. I was actually wearing more of a Supergirl outfit this afternoon for the panel. I decided to change into it. So I didn’t get bored. But yeah. I’m not going to lie. The easiest thing for me to grab. But I love bebe. They’re my favorite store.
HW: And I love your Superman accessory.
LV: Thank you. [It is from] the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
HW: Did you grow up watching his Superman movies?
LV: My father and I did actually, yeah. Not more so me, but him. I remember him watching them and he definitely told me a lot about Superman.
HW: Is the Supergirl movie hanging over your head, or is it considered so campy it doesn’t matter?
LV: It’s very different. And actually, I think the Supergirl movie was made in 1984. That’s the year I was born…I haven’t [seen it yet] but I didn’t want to because I want to play her my own way.
HW: Did the fans put a lot of pressure on you today? You’re stepping into some pretty big red boots.
LV: Yeah, they are. And they are big red boots. I’m wearing those and the short shirts and belly shirts. That was one of my worries was that the fans have a preconceived notion of what they want for Supergirl. But I wanted to make it more of a vulnerable character, not just heroic…[The fans] like asking me to flex my muscles. They’re shaking my hand and welcoming me. It’s like it’s their family. They’re welcoming me to their family. They said they’re excited to see me.
[IMG:R]HW: Is this something you’re really excited about jumping into, like the sort of character that’s going to be more like playing rather than acting for you?
LV: It does feel like playing, because we’re doing all the flying and the fighting stuff and working with Tom [Welling]. It’s so much fun. We’re goofing around when we’re not filming. We’re laughing. Allison [Mack]‘s great. It’s kind of surreal to me. I haven’t accepted it yet so it is kind of like I’m playing a role. But once I relax into it, it’s going to be great.
HW: Did you have to get especially fit or learn how to do something physical?
LV: Yeah. The flying, I’m in harnesses. When we’re not filming, I’m learning to fly. To take off. To land. To spin around. But actually, I have my second degree black belt in karate. So the fighting sequence is easier for me…[I have been doing karate] since I was about 7. I’m 22 now. So it’s been a while.
HW: How comfortable are those harnesses?
LV: They’re really comfortable. Actually, we developed a harness for myself because of the outfit being a little more revealing so they developed a smaller harness. It’s comfortable. They make sure that I’m all right.
HW: Smallville is good at introducing characters we know in new and different ways. How does Supergirl fit into that?
LV: It’s been incredible, that’s for sure. We’re going with the D.C. Comics mythology which is that she’s Clark’s cousin, Kara Kent. So it’s been a whirlwind but a wonderful whirlwind. I’ve been learning to fly and she’s a strong, independent woman. It’s great to play her.
HW: What was your first day of work like?
LV: I was nervous but the cast was great. Erica [Durance]‘s been really helpful to me. They’ve been together for six years so everyone’s been really comforting. At first it was overwhelming.
HW: How did this all happen for you?
LV: I was cast about, what, three weeks ago? Something like that and I’m already living in Vancouver and started filming so it’s been a whirlwind really.
HW: Were you looking for pilots or on the audition circuit over the summer?
LV: I’m actually just finishing up a show in Toronto, it’s our fourth season, it’s called Instant Star. It’s on Noggin Network, the N network. I was working on that, auditioning, going to school part time at York University for Psychology in English. So I was keeping busy but I’m a happier busy now.
[IMG:L]HW: Being the new kid on set, what advice has Tom Welling and the cast given you?
LV: The only tip that Tom ever gave me was, “Nap when you can.” Take a nap when you can. Yesterday, I fell asleep when they were lighting and they had to go, “Laura, it’s time to fly.” I’m like, “okay.” But it’s been great. I don’t care if I’m tired. It’s been wonderful.
HW: The chairs look kind of cozy over there, so if you want to crash out for a while.
LV: Yeah. You’ll see me in the corner there in a little bit.
Reporting by Scott Huver and Fred Topel
