TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews
Sexy New 'Smallville' New Supergirl on Her Super Power
Laura Vandervoort Dishes Her Hot New Gig and Her Addiction to Action
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Nov. 2 -- For a relatively unknown actress, landing a coveted role on a hit series can be a lot to handle, but sweet Canadian actress Laura Vandervoort seems to be taking it all in stride ... for the most part. The sexy gal, who was previously only known for The N's 'Instant Star,' is one the fall's hottest breakout stars as Supergirl on The CW's 'Smallville.'
AOL TV's Angel Cohn caught up with the lucky gal to find out how she scored the smokin' hot part of Clark Kent's out of this world cousin, what sort of temptations her newfound fame is presenting (Playboy?) and what it's like to kick some bad guy butt.
How did you get this gig?
I heard they were casting for Supergirl and thought that would be a cool role. I put myself on tape because I was shooting 'Instant Star.' I thought they were never going to watch my tape because there are thousands of blonde blue-eyed girls in LA alone. It's wild.
Laura Vandervoort Photos
Are you a fan of the Superman mythology?
Oh yeah! I watched 'Smallville' for the first two seasons until I got busy with school and work. But my dad used to watch the Christopher Reeve movies and I saw the new movie ('Superman Returns').
What is it like to play this iconic character?
There's a lot of pressure to play her the way fans would like to see her portrayed. I want to put my own little spin in there as well. I was nervous coming into this trying to make everyone happy, but now I've realized I've just got to do it the way that makes me happy and the way I see her. So far, so good.
You have so much experience in martial arts, has that been useful?
Yeah. I have my second degree black belt, so that really helps with all of the stunts.
Do you get to do much flying?
They've had me in a harness and I'm doing a lot of the flying on green screen. I've done all my own stunts so far. It's cool. Sometimes they're like, "Uh ... " But I'm like, "I can do it!" If it is dangerous I have a stunt girl who is great.
You seem excited to play an action hero.
When I was younger I loved 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider' and ('Alias' star) Jennifer Garner. I've always loved action films and (action) actresses.
How is the cast treating you as the new girl?
I was nervous going in but they are all great, especially Erica (Durance) who plays Lois Lane. She took me under her wing because she was the new girl once. I'm happy that everyone is so down to earth. I was nervous just to meet the cast ... and a little star struck as well.
Are you happy that it is shot in Canada and not in L.A.?
I'm not an L.A. girl. I was there (recently) because my boyfriend (actor Corey Sevier) was shooting an ultimate fighting movie and he was invited to the Playboy mansion (to watch) an ultimate fight championship that was going on. We were both at the Playboy mansion ... it was interesting. I got to meet Hugh Hefner. It is not what you would expect, we all just watched the fight and it was really nice.
Did you agree to pose for Playboy?
No! I'm not going to do any of that stuff ... ever! Take my word on it.
Well, I did see you on the cover of Stuff magazine looking very um ... sultry.
They are a nice magazine and they offered the cover. I only agreed to do it if I could be classy and covered up.
You Decide
Original 'Supergirl' Helen Slater is on the show for a couple of episodes as your aunt, Clark's biological mom. How was that?
She's great! She's really nice and so sweet. She's a mother now. She's ethereal and she just floats when she's shooting a scene.
Were you nervous about how she'd react to you playing her old role?
Yeah. I was a little concerned that she wouldn't like it. But she was cool about it and told me how they used to do the flying sequences in 1984 when she did the movie.
I'm still confused about how Kara is both older and younger than Clark. Kara was sent as a teenager to retrieve baby Clark from Earth and then what happened?
My ship gets stuck underwater in suspended animation and I'm underwater for 17 years and when I come out of the water, I'm still 19 and I'm looking for a baby and (Clark)'s this fully grown man. It is an interesting dynamic because I can tell him all about Krypton and he can tell me all about Earth. But there's a constant battle between (Kara and Clark) because I feel like I'm older than him and he shouldn't tell me what to do.
Clark doesn't want Kara to show off her powers in public.
Yeah. I think it is fine to show them off because humans are below us. My father told me that humans aren't good people and I slowly have realized that my father was lying to me and they are worth protecting. Clark has to teach me not only to tame down my powers, but also the outfits that I wear.
Does Kara's cool bracelet have special significance?
Yeah. We don't ever really speak about it. You see my aunt wearing two of them and you can kind of assume she gave me one. I think it is kind of the source of my power ... at one point I lose it and things happen.
Producers threw you to the wolves this summer by announcing you as Supergirl and then shipping you straight off to Comic-Con. What was that like?
Everyone told me how crazy it would be, but it was cool to see the fans and everyone all lined up. I was worried because the (fans) hadn't seen me or my work before. The 'Smallville' fans just said "Welcome to the family."
Any potential love interests?
Yup. She's got a little thing for Jimmy Olsen who is currently with Chloe. They develop a bit of a relationship because she respects him and Chloe kind of walks all over him. He kind of drifts in the direction of Kara and they develop a good bond.
As a 'Smallville' fan, do you think Clark should be with Chloe, Lana or Lois?
I would have to say Lois Lane. Chloe is kind of the best friend and there isn't really that kind of chemistry there. Lana has been there for so long on and off that I think it is time for a new woman.
Did you get to work with Dean Cain when he was on this season?
No, I didn't. But I saw him in the hair and makeup trailer. I always had a crush on him from the series 'Lois and Clark.' When I saw him I was kind of star struck. He looked great.
Go to our Jennifer Love Hewitt Interview >>
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