Up in the air…it’s a bird…it’s a plane…no its Supergirl. Or more specifically Sasha Calle. The buzz is building around the Colombian American actress. Calle is set to gain worldwide recognition for her role as Supergirl in the upcoming film The Flash. But, this isn’t your average superhero casting. Rather it’s more of a story of success, inclusion and showing we belong.
American Born, Colombian Raised
Sasha Calle was born in Boston Massachusetts to Colombian parents and spent a few years in Colombia as a child before coming back state side. Although only 28 years of age, she has been in the entertainment industry since she was a young girl. After graduating high school, she moved to Los Angeles to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She graduated from AMDA with a BFA in Performing Arts.
Calle’s big break came when she auditioned for The Young and the Restless daytime television drama series on CBS in 2018. She won the part of Lola Rosales, making her the first Latina to play a lead role on the daytime soap opera. But the history making roles were just getting started…
She is Breaking Ground as the first Latina Supergirl
In 2020, Calle was cast as Kara Zor-el aka Supergirl in the big screen debut of The Flash. Directed by Andrés “Andy” Muschietti, Calle is joining an all-star cast including Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck in one of the most anticipated films of the summer.
Aside from the acting chops and stunning looks, what makes this casting so special is Calle is the first Latina actress to play Supergirl. Quite an achievement in an industry that is simultaneously starving for more diversity, yet has traditionally marginalized Latino actors, relegating them to stereotypical roles.
She’s Been Immortalized
Along with great power comes great responsibility – and apparently doll! Recently Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and DC collaborated with Mattel to launch the all-new Supergirl Barbie doll in Calle’s likeness.
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She Gets It
As a young Latina, Calle wants to be an inspiration for other girls who might not believe they can make it in Hollywood. She told IMDB “Representation in the entertainment industry really matters, and I’m super honored, honestly (to be the first Latina Supergirl). There was a moment when we were shooting, when Andy was like, “Hey, come over here and watch this scene on the playback monitor.” And I go over and I see her (Supergirl), and she’s in her full glory. And suddenly, I got really emotional. Because I’m looking at that, and I’m like, “Wow, I wish I would have had this when I was little.” It meant a lot to me. I turned into child Sasha watching this person (on the screen). So, it’s really important. And I’m really happy and really thankful to DC and Warner Brothers for doing this now. It’s so cool that we’re doing this, and ya know, it’s about time.”
About time indeed! You can see Sasha Calle on the big screen when The Flash arrives in theaters on June 16th. We for one can’t’ wait.