Paige Mobley: “Women in superhero stories don’t have to be perfect to matter”

From fashion to film, Paige Mobley redefines strength through nuance in her cinematic debut within the iconic Superman universe.

In her cinematic debut, Paige Mobley faces an uncommon challenge: playing a completely new character within one of the most iconic franchises in film history. Rather than feeling restricted, she found creative freedom. “It was a pleasure building her from scratch. Not having decades of expectations on my shoulders allowed me to play. Being part of the Superman legacy, even in a small way, is something I don’t take for granted.”

Her role is closely tied to Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, and that complex relationship was one of the first things that drew her to the script. “Exploring her survival instincts and the emotional toll of being close to someone like Lex was fascinating. Plus, I’ve been a fan of Nick since Skins UK, so working with him was a gift.”

Under James Gunn’s direction, Mobley found a balance between technical precision and room for play. “James isn’t just a great director—he’s a great person. I was surprised by how he balances seriousness with humour. It created a very open environment to work in.”

Although her role isn’t central to the narrative, Paige hints that her character leaves a mark. “She’s not the heroine, nor the moral compass, but she has agency. She contributes to the current conversation about female characters in these kinds of stories: they don’t have to be perfect or obviously powerful to matter. Sometimes their strength lies in what they survive.”

“Working in film has expanded the way I see storytelling. It hasn’t changed it, but it has pushed me to adapt and stretch creatively.”

Mobley arrives on the big screen after a journey that includes catwalks, editorial campaigns, and TV hosting. Reflecting on her transition to cinema, she says: “It’s been new territory that I’ve worked hard to navigate. Every step beforehand prepared me for this moment.”

“Women in superhero stories don’t have to be perfect to matter.”
Paige Mobley

Fashion has been another expressive outlet in her life, although for a long time she didn’t feel entirely at home in that world. “At first, fashion intimidated me. It seemed like a universe full of rules. But when I started to see it as an artistic tool, something shifted. Every outfit tells a story, and I bring that with me on set too. A character’s style always says something.”

Today, she returns to the industry from a different place. “My modelling career was tough. America’s Next Top Model gave me visibility, but I never felt like I belonged. Now I’m rediscovering the joy of expressing myself freely.”

Mobley has also learned to adapt to different professional contexts. “Hosting trained me to think fast and lead a space; modelling connected me to my body and non-verbal language; and acting taught me to let go and trust the character.”

One of her favourite memories from set happened in Cleveland. “Almost everyone was on set. That’s rare in a film like this. All of us in costume, between takes—it felt like the comic had come to life. It was magical. I’ll never forget it.”