Monica Barbaro is stepping confidently back onto the Hollywood stage, transitioning from her high-flying role as the U.S. Navy pilot Phoenix in "Top Gun: Maverick" to embodying music icon Joan Baez in the much-anticipated biopic "A Complete Unknown." Directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, the film captures their intertwined lives during the fervent years of the 1960s folk revival.
For Barbaro, the casting as Baez was not a straightforward path. It began with her audition just before the COVID-19 pandemic shook Hollywood to its core. “My first audition was right before the world stopped,” she recalled during the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast. “I obsessed over Joan Baez, but I didn’t let myself prepare too much — it wasn’t my job yet, and I had to protect myself emotionally.” That emotional safeguarding changed dramatically when, years later, Mangold sent her the email she had longed for: “Joan is yours.” The news was overwhelming. “I froze, fell to the ground, and cried,” she said, holding onto a screenshot of the email as proof of her life-changing moment.
Monica Barbaro, who grew up just north of San Francisco, quickly immersed herself in Baez's world, even though she was not very familiar with the folk legend prior to this role. “When I heard ‘The Water Is Wide,’ it was like time froze. Her voice has this otherworldly quality,” Barbaro reflected. Baez, known for her activism and deeply stirring music, posed a distinct challenge: Barbaro would not only have to act but also sing and play guitar—tasks she had no prior experience with.
To prepare, Barbaro dedicated herself to voice and instrument training, spending months perfecting the nuances of Baez's singing style, including her unique vibrato and guitar fingerpicking techniques. “It was hard for me since I didn’t have a relationship with my own singing voice at all,” she mentioned, emphasizing the challenges of emulating such a distinctive artist. “Learning how to fingerpick was like learning to walk at 30; it was difficult.” Nevertheless, her commitment was fierce; she had to channel not just Baez's sound but her spirit as well.
A significant part of Barbaro's preparation involved connecting with Joan Baez herself. After months of practice, Barbaro reached out to Baez for insight. This phone call was deeply impactful for her. “Calling Joan was the one last thing I needed to do,” Barbaro explained. “Something about hearing her voice and speaking with her... She doesn’t feel like it’s hers, and she doesn’t live or die by what we say about her.” This candid conversation not only reassured Barbaro about her representation of Baez but also highlighted the legend's casual openness and perspective on the film.
Barbaro's dedication to realism didn't end there. James Mangold's request for authenticity meant he insisted the actors actually perform the music themselves rather than using pre-recorded vocals. Barbaro admitted this made her more anxious, especially knowing how legendary Baez's talent is. “It was just overwhelming,” she shared, emphasizing how personal and vulnerable performing for people can feel. Yet, the intimacy of real singing alongside Chalamet during rehearsals added to her confidence, making the experience one of her career highlights.
The film itself explores the tumultuous yet affectionate connection between Dylan and Baez. “She was at the height of her career. She was known for this beautiful voice, but she had higher calling,” Barbaro said, drawing parallels between their romantic and professional relationship. The narrative also pushes forward the idea of women’s roles behind famous male figures, which Baez strongly embodies. “Joan was really affecting Bob's career; she was responsible for introducing him to her audiences.”
Although her portrayal of Baez was met with general excitement and anticipation from fans, Barbaro still aims to explore her own identity through her work. “Navigaging multiple identities is universally relatable. I want to give voice to those feelings,” she elaborated. Her mixed heritage as part Mexican and part Caucasian has fueled her fascination with themes of otherness and cultural identity. This connection to Baez's heritage—a Mexican father—adds depth to her portrayal.
With "A Complete Unknown's" release, which has already gathered praise and nominations for its leading roles, Barbaro expressed hope her work can inspire younger audiences to rediscover Baez's music and activism. “I hope viewers feel motivated to embrace Joan’s music and the arsenal of emotion she carried within her songs. She’s iconic, and it’s my honor to bring her legacy to life,” said Barbaro with genuine enthusiasm.
Monica Barbaro continues to expand her creative horizons, working on diverse projects beyond her recent portrayal, including signing on for the crime thriller "Crime 101" alongside Chris Pine and Mark Ruffalo. Her wish to integrate dance—an art form she has loved since childhood—into future roles reflects her drive for authentic artistic expression. “Dance is such a huge part of who I am, and I want to find projects where it’s central,” she noted, humorously lamenting the risks of becoming “too geriatric” to dance.
From pilots to folk legends, Monica Barbaro is poised to reshape narratives and bring more diverse stories to the center stage of Hollywood. With the release of “A Complete Unknown,” she isn't just stepping from the cockpit to center stage—she's proving she belongs there.
