search
People

Monica Barbaro: 5 Facts About the “A Complete Unknown” Star

Learn more about Monica Barbaro, the talented actress portraying Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown.

Lukasz Budnik

2 February 2025

monica barbaro

Among this year’s Oscar-nominated actresses is Monica Barbaro, who portrayed singer Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown. This marks the first nomination for the actress, born in 1990. Here are some interesting facts about her.

  1. Musical and Dance Background
    Born in San Francisco, Barbaro learned to play several instruments, including piano, violin, flute, ukulele, and guitar. She also trained in dance, practicing ballet, salsa, flamenco, and modern dance. She earned a degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts before later studying acting in Los Angeles.
  2. Early Career and Breakthrough
    Barbaro started with short films, including the viral It’s Not About the Nail, before landing a role in UnREAL Season 2. After several TV appearances, she starred in The Cathedral and then gained global recognition as pilot Phoenix in Top Gun: Maverick, a box-office hit grossing over $1 billion.
  3. Commitment to Authenticity
    Barbaro values staying true to herself. In an interview, she shared that a makeup artist once suggested trimming her eyelashes, but she refused, believing in trusting one’s instincts and filtering advice wisely.
  4. Meeting Joan Baez
    To prepare for her role in Completely Unknown, Barbaro had the rare opportunity to meet Joan Baez herself, who offered valuable insights that helped shape her portrayal.
  5. Confidence and Boundaries
    In a Cosmopolitan interview, Barbaro admitted she once doubted herself and feared roles requiring nudity. “I didn’t want to spend my career negotiating how much of my body I had to show.” Now, she feels empowered and confident in setting boundaries and making choices that align with her values.

 

Wyświetl ten post na Instagramie

 

Post udostępniony przez Academy Museum (@academymuseum)

Łukasz Budnik

Lukasz Budnik

He loves both silent cinema and contemporary blockbusters based on comic books. He looks forward to watching movie with his growing son.

See other posts from this author >>>

Advertisment