Melissa Benoist is most recognizable for her role as Kara Danvers, aka Supergirl.
In real life, Benoist is also a bit of a super woman herself.
But she’s not immune to hardships in both her personal and professional lives.
She’s had her share of ups and downs inloveand in her career.
To find out even more about this multi-talented actress, read on for the untold truth of Melissa Benoist.
She started dancing when she was 3 years old, which impacted the course of her life.
She recalled an experience where she knew in her gut that she wanted to be a performer.
I wanted to be center stage.
I think that was the moment that I realized, ‘I like this,'" she toldEW.
There she attend Marymount Manhattan College on New York’s Upper East Side, as noted byVanity Fair.
Like many young adults, she had her share of awkward college roommate experiences.
At 18 years old, she was in New York City, getting dropped off by her mom.
Despite this experience, she credits NYC with her own self-discovery.
She said New York is her favorite place in the world, and she found herself in the city.
Like her character, Benoist participated in extracurricular activities, including theater.
But she also considered herself a wallflower who spent a lot of time on her own.
“I ate lunch by myself, and I was always okay with it.
But I was definitely made fun of and I always felt like an outsider.
And Marley experiences that,” she toldTeen Vogue.
Wood, who is also known forhis rolesinThe Vampire DiariesandThe Carrie Diaries, played Benoist’s love interest.
The couple both posted on Instagram to share their news.
Newsconfirmed the two exchanged vows in Ojai, Calif. in September 2019.
Citing irreconcilable differences, Benoist filed for divorce for 2016.
She wrote, “A non-canine child is coming to our family very soon!!!
“It’s a weird time to be pregnant for sure,” she toldTV Insider.
The transgressions were minor at first, and she didn’t initially recognize his behavior as abusive.
Benoist revealed her abuser threw his iPhone at her face, which tore her iris and broke her nose.
She found the strength to confide in a friend and was able to safely get out of the relationship.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Then came the three-month long audition process forSupergirl.
Her first audition was around Halloween 2014, and she landed the part in February 2015.
When she received the call and was told the role was hers, she was overwhelmed with feelings.
“All of it was really hard, just hard things.
And a lot of core work because I have to do the flying stunts.
Clearlyhow Melissa Benoist got ripped forSupergirlwasn’t easy.
Melissa Benoist made her directorial debut in 2020
In 2020, Melissa Benoist addeddirectorto her resume.
But sitting in the director’s chair for the first time, Benoist said she felt terrified.
“So that really informed my approach to it all.
However, Benoist deeply cares about how she portrays Supergirl as well as how fans respond to her character.
“I want to do right.
Of course this is a broad statement, but I want to do right by women.
She hopes women will think they too could be Kara or Superwoman.
Sometimes time spent alone is rejuvenating.
“I love solitude, and I’m not afraid of it,” she told theNew York Post.
It’s such a meditating and calming feeling; it kind of grounds me,” she said.
“All of them are fun.
Some of them are scary,” she toldExtra.
However, for her safety, she is unable to perform every single stunt.
Fortunately, Benoist’s stunt double is super talented and has decades of experience on other hit TV shows.
“My stunt double is amazing.
She was Jen Garner’s onAliasandBuffy’s.
She’s all over the place, and she’s so cool.
I wish people could see what they go through.
It’s insane,” shesaid.
The physically demanding stunt required training and practice for the actress to get it right.
“And when you get it right, watching the result is exhilarating.”
For her character, she said she tries to bring a feminine strength and grace to the portrayal.
“The stage has always felt like home to me.
“This is wish fulfillment at its finest!”
Yes, even Supergirl has her own bucket list of dreams to accomplish!
