Yvette Monreal Interview: DC’s Stargirl’s Wildcat

In this exclusive interview with DC’s Stargirl’s Yvette Monreal she talks becoming a superhero, stunt training, and what’s in store for fans in season 3!

Yvette Monreal stars as Yolanda Montez, AKA Wildcat, in DC’s Stargirl on The CW. We here are Mama’s Geeky were thrilled to chat with one of the members of the new Justice Society of America about many things, including putting on the suit for the first time, things she took from the set, being an inspiration to others, and of course, what is in store for fans in DC’s Stargirl season 3. 

How Did It Feel To Get The Call To Be A Superhero?

Yvette Monreal: It was the best feeling ever. I was so nervous, because obviously, I know DC and I knew who Jeff was. And I was like, Oh my gosh, this is such a big deal. And I knew there weren’t a lot of Latina superheroes on TV. So it felt like I had some big shoes to fill. But I was so ready. I was excited.

I was in Europe shooting Rambo at the time. And it just felt like everything was aligning the way it was supposed to. This is this is all coming together. This is exactly what I asked for and prayed for. So it was kind of crazy.

I was a little nervous too, because I didn’t get to do the test in person. I had to test from Europe and send it over to Geoff Johns. And I was like, oh no, I’m not able to sit and talk with him and make my lasting impression. It ended up working out and we had great conversations. And he was just like, Yep, I just knew you were the one and I was like, thank you so much. It was awesome.

You’re An Inspiration To Many, What’s That Like? 

Yvette Monreal: My brother’s older friend, he said his daughter looks up to me because she feels that she’s able to see herself on screen, essentially. So I just knowing that there’s people out there who think that and that I am actually making an impact on our younger generation makes me feel so proud and lucky. It’s very fulfilling to be able to do that for somebody.

When I was younger, I was able to look up to superheroes, but it was mostly like Halle Berry Catwoman. I like the Riddler, I like Batman. But there’s no one really who looked like me. So to be able to do that for our generation now, or younger generation now is very, very fulfilling and worth it.

How Did It Feel To Put The Suit On For The First Time?

Yvette Monreal: The first time I put that suit on it was kind of surreal. That’s the moment where it hits you. Like, oh my gosh, I’m a DC superhero.

I did my fittings in LA, with LJ our costume designer. And just the attention to detail — you just look down and you see everything, like I’ve little claws on my feet. So that was a really cool detail that they added.

Just having everything molded to your body and shaped to you like they did. They took a mold of my skull to make the cowl. It makes you feel so important because it’s custom for you and you only, so it was it was really neat. 

Since You Couldn’t Take The Suit Home, Have You Taken Anything Else Home?

Yvette Monreal: I actually took the Thunderbolt pen! Luke Wilson and Trae Romano were doing a trick with the pen. And there were so many of them, so it’s not like I have the only pen. They were going to CGI the trick so there was tape on the back of Trae’s hand and he had to keep getting new ones. So I was like, Okay, I’ll hold the bulk of the pens, and I’ll just pass them to you.

I was like, you know what, there’s like 20 of these pens, I’m going to take one. So I ended up taking one just for my own little collection of Stargirl stuff.

I also have a little Styrofoam mold of the cowl that they made for me. That came about by when I first started acting in my suit, and my cowl, it was really hard for me because it covers my eyebrows. And a lot of my expressions are through the top of my face.

I needed to practice with this cowl so I asked can I take one home? Because the real one is so expensive, and they didn’t want to lose it or anything, they gave me the Styrofoam one so I was able to practice at home and I just kept it.

What Is In Store For Fans In DC’s Stargirl Season 3?

Yvette Monreal: So this season, we are all living in the same town. The Crocks are there and literally, they’re our neighbors. We are trying to figure out who they are.

Let’s say we are all using each other. There’s a lack of trust between everybody because of everything that’s happened in the past, but we need to use each other in a sense. I’m not gonna I’m not gonna say too much, because I don’t want to blow it. It’s a murder mystery. And we are all using each other to get to the bottom of it.

Why Is Yolanda Justified In Her Feelings About Cindy This Season?

Yvette Monreal: This whole year, with Cindy joining the JFA, comes from wanting to protect this newfound little family that I’ve formed with everybody. I know what she’s done to me in the past and I don’t want her to inflict any pain on anybody I love. It comes from a very protective, little judgmental, but for good reason.

I’ve seen her actions in the past and as much as she might look to be very trusting, I know how that can switch in an instant. So it just comes from wanting to protect my family. I’m not shy about it this season. I am very vocal about not wanting Cindy around.

Do You Think You Would Act The Same As Yolanda In This Case?

Yvette Monreal: In those circumstances, with what Cindy did, and how she essentially ruined my life… not only at home, but with my peers and everything… like it literally ruined my life. I don’t know if I would be able to give her a second chance.

I think I would react the same way because that’s where me and Yolanda kind of relate. We trust until they give us a reason not to. I’m the same way. I will trust you but once I see you stab me in the back or once I see your true colors, it’s really hard to regain that trust.

And so I can be cordial, but friends, it’s a whole different story. I agree with how she is going about it. I think she is just being protective. She knows what can happen. I think it’s also fun, because Meg (who plays Cindy) and I are actually friends in real life.

Having all this back and forth and little quarrels with each other is just so fun. Like, we would shoot a scene so serious, and then we would just bust up laugh, right when it was done. So it was a good time. 

What Is It Like With This Cast On Set?

Yvette Monreal: We always look forward to it. We’re really close with our showrunner as well. He’s one of the most hands on showrunners I’ve ever seen. He’s there every day with us on set making sure all the shots are right. He comes from cinema so he really cares about it. And obviously, this is this is a good tribute to his sister, and he just wants to make sure everything is right.

We’re really close with each other. I’m so close to Brec, Meg, Cameron, Anjelika — everyone is just a blast. We are so, so close. I just saw Brec this weekend. And she went off to Toronto, but she’s one of my best friends. And Meg, I’m going to see her next week.

We’re just as close on screen. Or I guess we’re not as close on screen, Meg and I, but we’re just as close on set as we are in person and in real life. And I’ve developed some of the best friendships I have now because of the show. So I’m so grateful.

Do You Do A Lot Of Your Own Stunts?

Yvette Monreal: In the beginning, in season one, we would do a little boot camp just to get a good foundation. I’m a boxer in the show so I made sure to do my own training, and I met up with a boxing coach for two months prior to shooting the show.

But now with the stunt training — we’ve had the same stunt people every single year. So the level of expertise they’re at now; they make us look so fantastic. Like Kira O’Connor, she’s my stunt double. She’ll do it most of the time, if they are arduous or if there’s a chance that I could get hurt. She does most of the stunts, most of the wiring, and I do the landing. So I just need to make sure I do the landing really good to match up.

But she’s fantastic. She’s a great martial artist and all props to them. They’re amazing.

Be sure to tune in and watch Yvette Monreal as Yolanda Montez, AKA Wildcat, in season 3 of DC’s Stargirl when it debuts on The CW August 31st!

NEXT: DC’s Stargirl Season 3 Kicks Off With A Murder Mystery (Review)

About DC’s Stargirl Season 3

The third season finds Starman (Joel McHale) back from the dead and offering to train Courtney while she helps him adjust to his new life in the quiet town of Blue Valley.

But when there’s a murder that needs to be solved, the mystery will not only have our heroes questioning the former super-villains’ commitment to truly reforming, but lead Courtney, Pat and Starman to a secret that will shock them all to their very core.

DC’S STARGIRL returns to The CW on Wednesday, August 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.