It hasn't been easy for Superman & Lois' Sarah Cushing (Inde Navarrette). She's the daughter of Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and Kyle (Erik Valdez) and has spent her whole life in Smallville. Feeling trapped by her small-town life, Sarah attempted suicide. Since then, she's been prioritizing her mental health and dating Jordan Kent (Alexander Garfin).
However, Sarah returned from being away for the summer with a secret: she kissed a girl. This secret has caused some conflict between her and Jordan. Tonight's episode features a big day for Sarah. It's her quinceanera and a time to celebrate her coming of age. An elaborate party is planned. When a bombshell gets dropped on Sarah, it ruins the festivities and threatens to rip the Cushing family apart. Navarrette recently spoke with CBR about teenage romance, Sarah's quinceañera, family secrets, and tackling mental health issues.
CBR: Viewers learned early on in the season that Sarah kissed a girl while away for the summer. What did you make of that development?
Inde Navarrette: I was definitely shocked by Sarah's behavior. It wasn't the right thing to do, although I do remember being 14. If I was judging myself from the age and mindset I am now, I would also think I did some questionable things, as most 15-year-old teens do. I definitely don't believe it was morally right. However, I think that's how you figure out life, by dipping your toes in the wrong pool. I do want to specify who Sarah kissed may not have been the wrong pool. It was just the situation and fact that she was dating [someone else] that it was the wrong pool.
How does that kiss inform her relationship with Jordan?
It has put them between a rock and a hard place. Through Sarah's eyes, she was there. She knows what the encounter was. She knows what it meant, but Jordan doesn't. To get this information second-hand, trust has to be put into place, to be able to trust someone that the recounting of what happened was correct. That can get emotional on both sides. I definitely think they are between a rock and a hard place trying to fight the intense emotions, and at such a young age, while also dealing with such responsibilities that they have separately.
Tonight's episode, "Girl... You'll Be A Woman, Soon," is Sarah's quinceanera. How much fun was it dressing up and dancing with co-star Eric Valdez for multiple scenes?
It was wonderful. Eric is an amazing dancer, first of all. It was so much fun to have a father/daughter moment whenever he and I were together. Sarah and Kyle haven't gotten that too much. We really made sure it was a special moment.
What does this celebration, the quinceanera, mean to Sarah?
The quinceanera means to Sarah what it means in her culture, which is this moment of finally growing up and taking this step into becoming a woman. Specifically for Sarah, I think the quinceanera means leaving behind everything that she and her family have been through and taking the step to move forward and start this new chapter in their lives. It's a clean slate and a stepping stone into womanhood.
Given everything that Sarah has experienced, do you feel she's been forced to grow up a lot quicker than other kids her age?
100 percent. Every time I play Sarah, I feel this immense responsibility to be OK and not make mistakes, to make sure she is there for her family. I definitely think she has had to grow up very quickly. She doesn’t necessarily blame any one person, but I do feel this immense responsibility and weight coming off of her.
Sarah learns some shocking news about her father. Moving forward, how will that impact the Cushing family dynamic?
The shock will definitely have shockwaves. It will crack in certain areas. It will make certain areas extremely strong. I believe this family is going to go through it, but the other side is going to be greener than they could possibly believe.
Looking at both sides, what is Sarah's mind space over Kyle's actions? Does she feel betrayed? Hurt? Disappointed?
Sarah's overwhelmed and betrayed and shocked. There is nothing more jarring in a kid's mind than being so excited and having this huge opinion of what their family is going to be, and then to have it completely thrown away in such a short amount of time. That is an extremely traumatic experience that will shape future relationships in the way that she goes about everything. This moment, right here, is going to be one of those moments in Sarah's life where she can go back to and point out and say, "This, right here, is why I'm in therapy."
At the same time, there's this touching and empowering scene between Sarah and Lana. In what ways do you feel this also strengthens their bond?
I can't reiterate enough how untouchable a mother/daughter relationship can be, specifically with Lana and Sarah. Ever since Season 1, Episode 3, sitting in the bedroom with Sarah being a bitch all day and having Lana sit down and say, "I just need to know why. I just need to understand my daughter, my flesh and blood." Sarah goes, "I don't know what I want to do." They have that special moment. Going from that until now, I don't think that has changed. They are going to be able to lean on each other in moments they both need it. It's a really good thing for Sarah to see a strong woman like Lana pulling it together, but letting it go whenever she needs to. That is so important for young girls to know not to hide all of their emotions, but to also have extreme strength and courage when they need to pull it off.
What else can you tease about Sarah's journey in the upcoming episodes?
I think Sarah's journey is going to be one crazy rollercoaster that has never been invented. With this traumatic event, she's going to be going through a lot and not being able to know how to deal with things, but at the same time thinking she knows how to deal with them correctly. She's going to have to put on her big girl pants and recognize she may not be making the best decisions, but that in the end, they will make her the kind of person that she is.
Sarah's suicide attempt, and even Jonathan's moodiness, become conversations this episode. For you, how important has it been tackling mental illness?
Extremely important. There needs to be more conversations. We need to listen to peoples' individual stories, and to listen to what they specifically have to say about what they are feeling instead of immediately labeling them with depression or anxiety, and fitting that into each situation or person.
Depression is more prevalent than ever these days.
100 percent. It's absolutely a chemical imbalance, but at the same time, I do believe there's a lot of care and support and community and just listening.
Lastly, Jordan contemplated laying it all out there to Sarah, that he is half-Kryptonian and possesses superpowers. How would she handle that truth? Is Sarah ready for it?
I would love to say she would have that moment where they run into each other's arms with love and acceptance. I think we learned in Episode 6 that everything may not be what you see. I think that with everything going on with Sarah right now, she would feel overwhelmed, or it would be a situation where you don't really know until you know. She could be…
New episodes of Superman & Lois air Tuesdays on The CW.