Sasha Calle is soaring to new heights. Her portrayal of Supergirl has attracted tremendous attention, not only because she is the first Latina to portray the iconic character but also due to her rock-and-roll style - the blonde locks have been replaced by a grungy pixie cut. But for Sasha, it's not about the look. “Ultimately, as an artist, all I want to do is create art that people feel connected to and seen by. I think that's what comic books do. They make you feel represented," she confesses. Despite her recent success as an actor, she’s not done exploring the depths of her artistic identity. The next step? Music. "I would say with acting I can become someone else but with music, I get to learn who I am as a person and the things that I love,” she says. During our conversation, Sasha's vibrant personality shines as we delve into her passion for stunts, soap operas, and the significance of being labelled as an artist.

Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

We have to start by talking about The Flash. As a comic book nerd, it’s the biggest thing happening right now. Surprisingly, this is your first feature film. What did it feel like to make your silver screen debut in a production of this size?

Well, I was only on a soap opera right before, I was on The Young and the Restless. And I got on that show a year and a half after graduating college. They both have their challenges. Being on a soap opera I had to learn 45 pages of dialogue a night and we did five episodes a week. It uses a different muscle from when you’re going on a massive movie like this. When you’re on a film set, you’re doing more like a page a day. But I did a lot of stunt training to prepare, which is absolutely my passion. Doing action is something I love but it’s a different beast. I think that any job in this business has its challenges. I’ve just been excited and blessed to have been a part of both experiences.

Sweater & pants **Prada**, bra **Miu Miu**

You mentioned your love for action, I’ve read that you do a lot of your stunts. Was that a passion you discovered while filming this movie?

I knew it before. When I was in college, I had a stage combat class where we started to learn how to pretty much fake fight. You know, not hitting people per se but more so the wind around them. I just fell in love with it. I’ve loved action movies my whole life. I started boxing back in 2018 because I wanted to prepare. I wanted to be in this world, and I wanted to be good when the time came. So, it was amazing when I got on set, and I already knew how to move and how to throw a punch. It was very natural when I got there. I just loved my whole experience with the stunt team.

Turtleneck **Givenchy**, boots **Miu Miu**

Movies like The Flash are known for their Easter eggs and nods to fans. How familiar were you with the comic book world and the Supergirl character?

I've watched a lot of superhero films with my brother. And we actually watched a lot of the Supergirl and Flash series on television. And obviously movies like the Man of Steel… I mean, they’re the biggest superhero films out there. So, I knew some things and some, I ended up learning after. And even now, as I continue to see the movie, I’m realizing things. It’s a very fun process, to discover so many new little things about a movie I worked on.

Superhero suits are their trademark, and you have a particularly cool one. How did it feel to see yourself with it?

It’s really cool, it’s honestly a dream come true. I’ve been getting a lot of photos from my friends and family of me in the suit and how impacted they feel by it and that’s a really beautiful thing to me. Ultimately, as an artist, all I want to do is create art that people feel connected to and seen by. I think that's what comic books do, they make you feel represented. That to me is what art is. It has been beautiful to see people connect with her suit but also her vulnerabilities and complexities.

Jacket **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**, shorts and boots **Miu Miu**

Speaking of the importance of feeling represented, your portrayal of the first Latina Supergirl has opened a lot of conversation regarding diversity in the superhero world. What do you think of the discourse around it?

Well, first of all, let me mention I think we still have a long way to go. I think there’s been a lot of amazing people that have paved the way for me. They have walked this road and I’m fortunate and honoured to be a step in the right direction. Thankfully, we’re seeing a lot of Latinos and Latinas on the silver screen. We have Anthony Ramos with the Transformers movie. We have Xolo (Maridueña) coming up with the Blue Beetle movie, which is so beautiful because that is a Latin story. I think the most beautiful thing is that we’re sticking together, and we all see each other. That for me is what’s meaningful. I think we’re getting there, slowly but surely.

Super Girl usually has a more bubbly and feminine aesthetic, with blonde locks and a short skirt. But your version is androgynous... I would even say rock and roll. Was it freeing or scary to portray such a different version of the character?

I wasn’t scared. I always say Andy (Muschietti) picked me for a reason. I was only ever going to give my honest portrayal. Again, we’re back to the same conversation, it’s about representing the duality of human beings. It’s all about how she feels. She’s angry, and I think that’s why it’s so rock and roll. I love that way of describing her, I hadn’t heard it yet. It was freeing and exciting. I gave everything that I possibly could, that’s all I could do.

Do you feel like your sense of style has been affected by her grungier aesthetic?

I mean I still kind of have her hair, I have Andy to thank for that. I used to have luscious, long hair. And he asked me to cut it before I got the job. Even though I agreed on the spot, it was very hard for me at first. But I ended up kind of bodying it when I started letting it grow out in the back. And I love my hair now. I don’t see myself with long hair anymore. She gave me that and I am very grateful.

Beyond acting you are also very passionate about creating music. Is that something we can expect from you in the future?

Absolutely. I mean, music is the whole reason I am here. Music is my heart and soul. The lyrics are all mine. I would say with acting I can become someone else but with music, I get to learn who I am as a person and the things that I love. And I’m getting there. It's almost there. But yes, it's absolutely something that I am going to do. Oh my god, I'm so excited. I can't wait. I'm so over keeping it in my Dropbox.

Throughout our conversation, you’ve emphasized identifying yourself with an artist. What does that label mean to you?

I just think I'm an artist in general. Art just kind of surrounds me. It inspires everything that I do. I don't know… I just exist and create whenever I can. It makes me feel grounded and connected to myself.

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Interview by Pedro Vasconcelos

Photography by Shane McCauley

Fashion by Carolina Orrico

Hair by Candice Birns

Make-Up by Cedric Jolivet

Casting by Imagemachine cs