Well, I would say yes, but I dont know if its more than acting.
But its so personal, and its such a different thing because Im writing it.
It lives in a different category in my brain, but I certainly love acting as well.
Ad content continues below
Youve put a couple of albums out…
Yeah!
Im making my third album right now, which Im really excited about.
Whenever Ive spoken to people whove written music, its the writing part that really gets into their heads.
That its such an intensely personal thing to do.
Its almost the scariest thing that you could put out…?
I mean, this is my opinion.
You have to have faith, not in a religious sense, that its okay to do that.
Otherwise, its so vulnerable, you feel so exposed.
I can only speak for myself, personally.
It hasnt been a huge money-making experience.
I would love that.
But I dont think what I do as a singer-songwriter that Im in that mainstream anyway.
For me, I havent had any bad repercussions.
In fact, its been overwhelmingly positive.
Not just from fans ofSupergirl.
Until then, it lives in this very small, positive experience for me.
I wonder if thats one of the huge positives, that you dont need to do it financially?
Youre doing it purely for the love of it?
I do feel very grateful.
Im very conscious of that.
Its not garage band, Im not doing it on my computer.
I use a lovely little studio.
I do feel grateful.
You have a young daughter?
Yes, shes 15, which is tenth grade.
Was that something you were conscious of, and are you conscious of it bringing up a daughter?
You know, I never thought of it until you said it right now, quite honestly.
In terms of positive teenage female superhero figures.
Thats an interesting point.
Youve cited Peter OToole in the past?
I had been through [New York] Performing Arts High School, and studied Shakespeare before.
Ive told this story before, but I really feel like I cant say it enough.
Im from New York City, Im good with my hands.
Were very animated, you know?
That was such a powerful moment.
I still remember feeling like I was in a masterclass.
And youre placed in the midst of that in your first major film role.
You always seem quite affectionate towards the experience, though?
I do have very fond memories.
Faye Dunaway, Peter Cook, Peter OToole, Brenda Vaccaro.
They did that back then, and they do that now too, youre right, with theHarry Pottermovies.
I met these incredible friends, felt like I was acculturated to the highest degree.
Just to be around the accent for a year!
So, it did have this very fairybook quality to it.
Why dont we see more than that?
Did they fashion her too much on Superman, they didnt know how to make it more?
I dont know the answer to it.
I think youre right.
They had her in ripped off t-shirts, cut-offs, very sexual inSmallville, which is television.
I cant imagine what itd be like on the big screen.
I rewatchedSupergirlyesterday, and have been reading to see what people say about it now.
And it gets far more affection now than it did first time round.
I think thats true.
I really appreciate that.
I think its a fascinating movie.
I think its very much a product of its time, but thats not really a bad thing.
Again, Im not sure it would go that way now…
It is becoming old fashioned…
And my impression at the end of it was that it was fun.
I think thats a reaction thats not enough for many people now, though.
What are your thoughts on it?
Theres no blood or anything.
Has she seen it?
I dont know if shes seen it all the way through.
Shes a little funny about that stuff.
For her, its unique.
Who else can go to school and say that her mums Supergirl!
But shes so not that kind of child at all.
Shes not flashy, very humble, and down to earth, which Im very happy about.
Well, look what Jeannot did!
He cast me, and what a great break to have him choose me.
Was it true you were the first to audition?
Lynn Stalmaster [casting] is actually on YouTube talking about casting the movie.
He talks about narrowing it down to eight girls.
I think part of my having gone through Performing Arts High School, I was very bold.
I had made a cape and a skirt.
And I went in with glasses as Linda Lee.
I was a little bit fearless.
I dont know if I would have had that if I hadnt been through Performing Arts.
I do have to ask: do you still have the costume you made for yourself?
Itd be worth quite a bit on eBay now, Id wager!
[laughs] Its funny, I wouldnt have even thought of it!
Im sure it just went into some Goodwill bag.
Was it just one audition you had to do, because it took several months before you were cast?
No, I think there were two or three, because it ended with a screen test in England.
And that was prolonged?
It was a couple of months.
Were you aware you were always in the running?
No, I think I was very unaware.
But back then, it was just one more audition.
It was something bigger than something else.
When you got down to the shoot itself, you talk about working with Peter OToole.
Hes clearly having a whale of a time.
[Laughs] Oh, yeah.
I understand that you got to spend time with Christopher Reeve when you got the part.
Was there anything in particular he passed on to you?
We were both at Pinewood Studios at England.
I cant tell you specifically he said this, he said that.
I got to spend time with him, which was super-nice, no pun intended.
But the feeling was very kind of brotherly, protective.
I was only 18 and he was older.
He may have been in his 30s by then.
You had a lot of protectors in theSupergirluniverse?
I feel that way.
My trainer took very good care of me.
I felt very fortunate.
The beautifully bonkers production has left a mark too.
What are you finding when you meet people at conventions?
The people are so lovely.
And many of them say that the movie had a big impact on them at the time.
They absolutely loved it.
That and The Legend Of Billie Jean.Supergirljust had this powerful, I guess, effect.
But at the time my feeling was that it didnt do too well.
I hope I get to keep working.
You picked up the Saturn nomination, too.
Were you conscious of the reviews at the time?
I felt sad about it, like Oh, gosh, we didnt get it right.
I didnt get it right.
It was mixed, but my feeling overall was what a phenomenal experience.
Ive had the best time.
I wish it had done better.
I wish it was received better.
And now many years later it seems that it was, to a certain group of people.
Because the plan originally was presumably to do two, three, four of these.
To have a series.
I wonder if a bit of it was that it came at a point when theSupermanfranchise itself had peaked.
Its too similar in a funny way.
I dont think it should be sexualised, but I dont know what the answer is.
But something that brings it alive and makes it more accessible, maybe?
I suspect there might be an element of truth in that.
But that doesnt fit into the mythology of Supergirl.
They have to be from another planet.
Maybe you need more of the history, to feel more of the values on Krypton.
And for that to be the interesting thing thats brought to Earth, to have those values.
I dont know, never thought about it.
[laughs]
Looking back now, though, you seem proud and happy when thinking of the film?
I think even more accurate would be just gratitude.
I was very grateful.
And it wasSupergirlthat opened the door toRuthless PeopleandThe Secret Of My Success.
What a pair of projects…
Yeah!
[laughs] Very different.
Yes, yes.Secret Of My Successhad a more complicated storyline too, for sure.
Would you say you have a natural affectionate for comedy, because certainly inRuthless People…
Ilovecomedy!
Its so fun, especially if you have chemistry with the people youre working with.
It can be drama, comedy.
I was doingCSI, and I was weeping every day for the loss of my son.
Would you agree with that thinking?
But as a working actor youre getting paid, youre getting your healthcare taken care of.
That way I feel like television is important in that regard.
And you have a theatre passion too?
But I do feel Id like to do something there if something comes up.
Youve written a musical, too?
Ive written two musicals!
One based onThe Ugly Duckling, and one based on children and literature.
Theyre in very raw form right now.
The musics telling the story.
It sounds a little like youre coming full circle, then?
With your training at the start and your love of writing music?
I would love that.
The other way youve come full circle too is withSmallville, a seeming alumni club for those involved withSuperman!
I have to say I think its my favourite job in the last 10 years.
Its so fun, and then when I did the conventions the fans loved the connection.
Its been such a positive experience.
Theyre so nice over there, and they make me very goddess-y over there!
[laughs] Lots of make-up, and beautiful hair.
And the outfit isnt quite as cold…!
[laughs]
So, youre just doing some stuff on the final season…?
Julian Sands and I are doing an episode.
I wish it was more because it was so much fun doing it.
But I guess theyve got it all written.
Were just doing one episode.
And what are you up to next after that?
Right now, Im off to Vancouver to shootSmallville, so thats whats right now.
And Im finishing my third record as we speak!
Helen Slater, thank you very much!
Find Helens music over at CD Baby righthere.
