‘A Complete Unknown’ Star Monica Barbaro on Her Oscar Nom, Imposter Syndrome and Why She Had to Delete Her Social Media

Two years back, I had the privilege of accompanying the cast of “Top Gun: Maverick” to the Academy Awards. It was my debut at such a ceremony. Reflecting on that night, I can still vividly remember thinking, “I might never be in this room again.” So, I made sure to savor every second and cherish the experience.

Absolutely, the actor is set to make a comeback this year, not just as a passive onlooker. Barbaro has been nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her exceptional portrayal of Joan Baez in “A Complete Unknown.” This biopic, focusing on Bob Dylan’s formative years, particularly his groundbreaking decision to go electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, bypassed the film festival circuit and premiered in cinemas in December to widespread acclaim, grossing more than $90 million (and still rising) at the box office. The movie garnered eight Oscar nominations, with nods going to writer-director James Mangold, as well as Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton for their roles as Dylan and Pete Seeger respectively.

Barbaro has experienced a rapid ascent in her career, as she was recently recognized by EbMaster as one of the 10 Actors to Watch for October. Although she’s no stranger to acting, having been a cast member on “Unreal” in 2016 and leaving an impact in the latest “Top Gun” installment, Barbaro has found herself in a dizzying whirlwind over the past few months that she’s still trying to get used to. “I’m really so new to all of this,” she admits during this interview. “At the premiere, I kept questioning my publicist: ‘Did I do well?’ And it’s not that I’m not being myself, I just don’t know how I fit into this world and these broader discussions. I’m just grateful to be here.

I told you last fall you’d be an Oscar nominee. What have the last few months been like?

Frankly, I never imagined it could turn out this way. I sensed EbMaster‘s list hinted at the potential for something similar, though. The producers, Jim, and Searchlight were incredibly supportive and considerate, which I truly appreciated. However, as any actor might do, I grappled with self-doubt, thinking, “They must be just being nice.

Was it really so farfetched or was it more that you weren’t allowing yourself to think about it?

Even though we knew how successful the first “Top Gun” movie was, we never assumed that the sequel would follow suit. In reality, there’s no certainty in this industry about the success of a film. While I had faith that the film would be good, I didn’t expect it to happen – it wasn’t something we took for granted.

We knew “Top Gun” was successful, but we didn’t assume the sequel would be as well. In this business, there are no guarantees about a film’s success. I had faith in the quality of the movie, but I wasn’t sure it would actually happen – it wasn’t something we were counting on.

You’re playing a legend, and the project was pretty high-profile. How did you turn off the noise when you were making the film?

Due to a photo of Timmy being posted on social media, I faced an overwhelming number of comments predicting his Oscar success. Since we hadn’t even started filming yet, I needed to ignore all that noise because my focus was solely on doing the best work possible alongside Timmy, Elle Fanning, and Edward. I wanted to prove myself worthy of working with James Mangold, and filling Joan’s shoes was a daunting task. In fact, I was more worried about messing up and not living up to her legacy than I was about people’s social media reactions. To me, that reaction felt like winning the lottery.

You completely deleted social media?

I removed the footage from my phone, as it was an intriguing period with Timmy and the movie generating quite a buzz. There were instances of unauthorized individuals trying to get on set, taking videos, or crowds forming on the streets, with smartphones pointed everywhere. However, all this excitement didn’t align with the era we were depicting; it wasn’t something they would have been aware of in their mindset. What’s amusing is that I’ve deleted it once more due to being overwhelmed by the heartwarming, positive responses. But first, I want to address the kind messages sent via emails and texts from people before I return to the footage again.

Joan Baez saw the movie and has said wonderful things. When did you know she was seeing it?

I didn’t anticipate her watching the movie, as we had exchanged messages, and she mentioned she would do so with friends during the break, but I wasn’t aware of the exact date; it would have caused me anxiety. Afterward, she called to say nice things about it in a voicemail. I’d prefer not to disclose too many details, as it’s her choice whether to share her review or not. However, her gesture was incredibly kind and thoughtful. I’m eagerly awaiting the opportunity to meet her at an upcoming concert. Fingers crossed that I can keep my emotions in check when we finally meet!

You’ve said before that Joan is worthy of her own movie. Is it a role you would revisit?

From my perspective, while I’m deeply attached to her, it’s equally true that Jim interprets Joan in his unique way. The version audiences see is shaped by him, and it’d be intriguing to observe how a completely different person would handle it. Essentially, I’m most curious about how the story unfolds if it’s viewed through Jim’s eyes.

You did so much research, I’m curious if there was something you came across in your prep that even if it didn’t make it into the film overtly, really informed your interpretation.

In essence, I discovered numerous aspects about her activism that aren’t directly relevant to this narrative. However, you’ll notice how it influences her interactions with Bob in specific instances and even hints at her character’s humor. In fact, the moment where I give Bob the middle finger while playing was described as “very Joan-like” by someone who knows her well.

How has the success of the film and the nomination affected your career? Do you sense a difference?

In a first for my career, I have an unprecedented sense of job security – at least temporarily. On the set of “Top Gun,” I constantly worried about being let go each day, not due to any specific issue but rather my inability to believe in my own success. However, true job stability is elusive in this field. Yet, the most exhilarating aspect has been the praise from fellow artists. At the Golden Globes, Glenn Close commended my work, which was an indescribable thrill. I’m discovering that many of these award events are a gathering of artists admiring their peers, and it’s humbling to be included in such esteemed company.

This film has really been embraced by all ages. I took my nephew and my mother to see it on Christmas Day.

On Christmas Day, I went along with my mom as well! Here’s something surprising: Despite not having tickets pre-booked, my hometown in Marin County was already packed. I had to break the news to her, “Great news and bad news…my movie is all sold out.” In the end, we ended up going to the Metreon in San Francisco with some friends and their parents instead. This place holds a special significance for me, as it’s where I used to attend midnight “Harry Potter” screenings, making our visit a full circle moment.

You were at a packed theater for your own movie? Were you recognized?

Sure thing!

At the moment, I find myself in an incredibly liberating situation. I can move around freely without being recognized by others, at least as far as I can tell. It’s truly remarkable to receive acclaim in my profession while maintaining a level of privacy that allows me to go about my business unencumbered. Or perhaps it was merely the hat I wore that kept people from recognizing me.

2025-02-12 18:47