Melissa Benoist thinks that her young, female superhero “Supergirl” is, indeed, a feminist.
“What’s feminist about it is that it’s for everyone,” Benoist told Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show” on Monday. The actress stopped by the show following the premiere of “Supergirl” on CBS.
“She has all the same powers [Superman] does!” she added.
Colbert also commented that Benoist is “inspiring some young girls already” after recently taking photos with Girl Scouts.
The series has been applauded for its feminist slant, given that the hero is a woman — something that’s been lacking in the world of superheroes and that studios, particularly Marvel, have been publicly criticized for.
The fact that she is called “Supergirl” instead of “Superwoman” has also fed the feminist debate.
Ahead of the premiere of the show, a CBS clip showed Benoist pushing for the title of “Superwoman,” before she is put in her place by an overbearing boss.
“What do you think is so bad about ‘girl’?” Calista Flockhart‘s Cat Grant asked. “I’m a girl. And your boss. And powerful. And rich. And hot. And smart.”