On DC’s Stargirl, Meg DeLacy plays the kind of character we all sometimes wish we could be: Speaking her mind, always with a quip ready. Cindy Burman a.k.a. Shiv has a lot she’s bottling in, though, and with DeLacy’s talent as an actress, the deeper layers of Cindy have started to peel away and become more visible.
A new episode of Stargirl airs tonight (September 21) on The CW, and it’s a safe bet we’ll learn even more about Cindy with this week’s installment. We spoke with Meg DeLacy in anticipation of tonight’s show; you can read the interview below.
MEG DeLACY: It’s her first time kind of putting her pride away and being like, “hey, so use me! Please see me as an important asset!”
It’s a whole different approach just in general for her, trying to find a family and a team [that] she’s always been longing for, whether she wants to admit that or not. Her conversation with Yolanda at the end of Season 2, saying “I want to try the JSA” was probably one of the hardest thing she’s ever had to say, but in her heart, deep down, that’s what she really wanted.
So, having this opportunity, and making sure not to mess it up, and staying true, and having this kind of voice in the back of her head, like “hey, you’re trying to be this person now… reset yourself! Remember that you’re part of this team, and they’re for the greater good, and not the greater evil!” It’s a big shift. I think that she’s feeling better about it, but also, trust doesn’t just show up, especially if you’ve lost it multiple times in the past, especially given the history between these kids and Cindy. She’s struggling with that a little bit.
I think she’s finding herself more and more in Courtney. Yes, they are complete opposites, but due to what they went through in Season 2, and the Shadowlands, and just really becoming vulnerable, and showing that side to her, and then also vice versa, there’s a greater respect there. She also sees the leadership qualities, and she likes to be around people who are bosses.
There’s a little bit in Yolanda too. Seeing that fire reminds her of herself. She’s trying to be a little more gentle now, but in turn, Yolanda is becoming a little harder. I’m sure she’s entertained by that, and kind of likes that. She fired it up a little bit in season two, and it’s definitely coming out now.
Is it fun to play the mean girl?
Oh, my gosh. It’s so much fun to just say what you feel and not have to apologize for it. It was more fun, though, finding the dynamic behind what it means really means.
At the beginning of Season 1, she was depicted as just the straight-up popular girl that doesn’t give a crap about anyone. It’s very easy to get stuck in that trap, but there are no layers to that. So, finding those… there’s always a reason behind everything, so finding that, and then finding moments within the writing, in moments, in scenes, and maybe just an eye lock or a quiet moment… finding those moments, I feel, created the dynamic of Cindy’s character that was used later on in the writing of Season 2 and Season 3 which was really cool, to kind of lead, and to also be led.
The Gambler has the most annoying security protocol on his computer. Why doesn’t Cindy just turn the sound off?
I don’t want to give too much away, but there are reasons why she’s trying to break into this computer, and I think that her her need to find that is is kind of priority and everything else is just like “whatever, I’ll just deal with it.” But that’s a really good idea! Honestly, her wisdom is going out the window, slightly, because she’s kind of freaking out and just wants answers. But yeah, maybe there’s a mute button on the computer.
With the mystery of this season, did the individual cast members have guesses on who did it before you actually found out?
Usually when I get a new script, I don’t read it until the table read, so I kept it a mystery to me. I know some of the cast members talked to Geoff [Johns] and [tried to] have all the answers prior, but I think it’s really fun to get that raw reaction straight up.
If Cindy could meet anyone in the DC Comics universe, who would you want it to be and why?
I love this question! I always say Harley Quinn, just because she and Shiv would just, like, take over the whole world, and it would be a very awesome “girl power”-like sassy approach. They’d get into major trouble and then they’d be like, “well, maybe we shouldn’t do this anymore.” It would just funny to see the two come together and wreak havoc, but then also pay for the consequences because they are kind of crazy, and there are some times when they just kind of lose it. But that’d be so cool and also really dope, to see Harley’s costume and then Shiv’s costume… that would be so sick.
What has been your favorite part of the Stargirl experience?
The fact that the show already has built in cult following… just the comic world in general. I went to my first con a few months ago in the UK, and it was incredible to see all these people come together… something that they do every year, they look forward to it, they travel from all different places to come together and celebrate this fandom, over these characters, and the storylines, and these universes. I think it’s incredible. It’s a true family, and it’s such an honor to be able to be part of this and be able to speak on behalf of not only Shiv, but Stargirl as a whole, and this whole universe. It’s nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. I feel very lucky, and I’mgrateful to be seen that way.
On top of that, shooting the show, I met Yvette [Monreal]. I met my best friend. I just got engaged, and I’m getting married next year, and she’s the Maid of Honor. So, I was able to meet someone that I’m going to have in my life for a very long time, and that was really cool. And then also, stunt training. Stunt training is so interesting, and so badass, and so fun. Our stunt team is incredible, and so patient with us, and teaching us movement. It was really awesome to learn about my body that way and to go to stunt rehearsals, and be put in a situation where she’s gonna show up and do some fighting. It was so so unlike anything I’ve ever had to do in acting class.
What do you have to say to fans about why they should tune into Wednesday night’s episode?
I would say to fans not only are you gonna get closer to what happened to The Gambler. There are a lot of like twists and turns that happen to the team. There are more questions, more doubts… and with Cindy, specifically, this is probably the first time you see why she’s spending so much time in the ISA headquarters and bringing out all the potions, and lotions, and serums, and old history dating back to when her dad would do experiments.
And for our last question, do you have some more music coming out?
Yes, I do! I just moved to New York, and then I found the great music community out here, and an awesome producer. I was actually just in the studio yesterday, finishing our third single. My first one will probably come out in about a month, and then followed by another one, quite possibly, and then aiming to when the show’s finale is, hopefully we’ll have an EP out or something like that. But yes, I’m always in the studio. It’s how I stay sane. It’s therapy for me, and I can’t wait to share.
DC’s Stargirl airs Wednesday nights at 8PM ET/PT on The CW.
