Chyler Leigh: A Hero Without a Cape

By: Paige Zinaman

I flew to Las Vegas to attend ClexaCon 2018 where I then had the extreme honor of sitting in on a panel called “Behind the Badge: Alex Danvers.” Don’t know what ClexaCon is? No worries! ClexaCon is this huge convention that takes place in Las Vegas and is the creation of when you tick off a bunch of fans who support your show only for you to kill off one of their main LGBTQ+ ships – a beautiful awakening that was created from the hurt, dedication and love of a fandom to prove that we are stronger than what you throw at us and that we are not going away. With that, I had no expectations going into this panel because it was Chyler Leigh and everything she talks about is hilarious and you’re guaranteed an amazing time. If you know me then you know how much I absolutely love Chyler. You know that I’ve talked about her for years when she starred as Lexie Grey on “Grey’s Anatomy” and then further on when she was cast on “Supergirl” as Alex Danvers – a role that sky rocketed Chyler into the spotlight of countless love and praises as well as some backlash. The story of Alex Danvers was a journey that took both Chyler and the fans on a whirlwind and quiet honestly, we are more than thankful it did.

To say I was pumped was an understatement of the year. I think I drove my roommates crazy the night before the panel and quite honestly probably the two days leading up to it. Thankfully, they were always supportive and just laughed as I continued my excitement. Never in my life have I been so excited to see something more. Finally, it was Saturday, the day of the panel. When we were seated they showed a video of different Alex Danvers scenes that was fierce and amazing, once it was over Chyler graced the stage and received a stand ovation that was truly deserved. When she stepped onto the stage the dynamic in that panel room changed, it was like someone lit a flame and it grew to something massive into something breathtakingly beautiful. You could tell by the look on her face she wasn’t expecting the standing ovation and a room full of people both sitting down and standing up. She was humble and down to earth, everything you’d hope to see from a person you admire and trust me everybody in that room was inspired by the end of her panel.

Chyler’s ability to be hilarious yet serious is a special thing. She was able to handle the panel and each question thrown at her with grace and elegance. She answered questions about “Sanvers” (Maggie Sawyer/Alex Danvers) and it was at that point the whole of the room had tears in our eyes. Each thing she said was heartfelt, true and brutally honest yet staying within reason on what she can and can’t say. She told us that when Alex’s story was presented to her that she sat down with everyone and stated that, “If I’m doing this, I’m doing this right.” It’s been a while since I’ve seen such positive and thoughtfulness from an actor. She wanted to stay true and honor her LGBTQ+ fans and make sure they knew this was going to be a source of light in our lives. You knew from her words that she cared about Sanvers just as much as the fans did – as much as they still do. She even told the story about the final filming with Floriana Lima and Kevin Smith and how they filmed in order because they all knew that it was going to be hard to film. She spoke about how when it aired she wanted to just go away, but she also wanted to be there for everybody because she’s a mother, a friend and a sister. When she was told she’s Alex she told everybody that Alex may be her. She speaks with such sincerity where her words still echo in my head as she tells the room with tears in her eyes, “I fought friends, I fought.” Luckily for Chyler and everyone else in the room, a volunteer runs up with a beer giving us and Chyler a minute to laugh before continuing.

When it came time for fan questions, Chyler didn’t shy away from answering or giving a run around. You asked and she answered to the best of her ability. As fans asked questions that were about Sanvers others asked more of a request…They asked Chyler if she’d sing a song called “Red Red Robin” and she agreed. She told the story about why the song was so special to her, a story that for the first half I could relate to. She then spoke about how it was a source of comfort for her daughter Anniston who suffers from severe seizures and that out of eighteen of them, seventeen of those she experienced have landed her daughter in the hospital. Thankfully, she then announced to us that her little girl is four years seizure free. She went on further to say that this song was the only source of comfort for Anniston when the seizures would happen. She finished telling the story and started singing. For three minutes and thirty-five seconds the room was silent as her song filled the room and our hearts as we hung onto every word she sang. When she finished the song, everyone got to their feet and giving a second standing ovation to her.

When the panel was coming to a close I had to leave a couple minutes early in order to make it to a photo opportunity and was totally gutted. But as I was waiting in the photo op line, I was talking to a girl beside me because she asked me why she should watch “Supergirl.” I told her it was because of Chyler Leigh. It was a couple minutes after I said that that the woman herself walked by on her way to her autograph session. I called out to her and thanked her for an amazing panel and for being so good with her fans. She thanked me for coming to it and before she walked away I told her that after our photo op session that morning I walked away bawling. She looked me dead in the eye and apologized with such sincerity that it took me by surprise. I told her quickly there was no need for apologies as she tells me it was nice meeting me as she has to go to her table for autographs.

I spent my Saturday in Las Vegas at ClexaCon crying a grand total of about four times and each time it was because of Chyler Leigh. She had me crying the first time because she was genuine and cared about her fans. She had me crying the second time because she truly cares about Alex Danvers and the direction her character is going. She had me crying the third time because she was so humble and spoke the truth. And finally, she had me crying because for the first time in a long time it was shown to me in person that I hadn’t made a mistake – I made the right decision to come to ClexaCon that I needed to come to ClexaCon because every word she spoke that afternoon I needed to hear. I needed to see that I found an inspiration that wasn’t built on the glamour or fame, but for true morals and acceptance. That I had indeed made the right choice to admire Chyler Leigh because she strives to never let her fans down. She is a true warrior in every sense of the word and you felt it that day. Her fight to make sure that we know we matter that our love matters and our thoughts on Sanvers still and always will matter is what separates her from many of her fellow actors.

I walked away from Chyler Leigh’s panel with a new-found love and respect for who she is as an actor and who she is as a person. She’s human, she loves like we do, she hurts like we all do, and she continues to fight the good fight with honor and respect. If you’re stumbling upon this because you attended ClexaCon or you are curious about who she is, let me tell you this much…Meeting Chyler Leigh at ClexaCon was not a letdown. It was another reminder that there are people in the world who still care about us and that love is love. No matter who you are or where you come from, you deserve love just like everyone else. I encourage you to watch her panel on YouTube and see for yourself what I’m trying to portray to you with words. I promise you that you will not regret a single second of it. I’m thankful every day that the LGBTQ+ community has someone like Chyler Leigh because she is truly the definition of a superhero without a cape.