Monica Barbaro, First-Time Oscar Nominee, Is Plotting a Way to Meet Joan Baez

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In a significant development, Monica Barbaro, who made her mark as Joan Baez in the movie “A Complete Unknown”, has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Academy Awards. This is her first nomination and she plays a pivotal role as the feisty matriarch of folk music in the film. Joining her in the nominations are Ariana Grande-Butera from “Wicked”, Felicity Jones from “The Brutalist”, Isabella Rossellini from “Conclave”, and Zoe Saldaña from “Emilia Pérez”. Barbaro, who famously delivered the line “you’re kind of an asshole, Bob” in the film, expressed her joy and shock at being nominated, stating that every moment associated with this film has been a life-changing experience for her.

Your praise truly touches my heart. It’s like finding a rare pearl in an ocean of possibilities. I am deeply grateful for your kind words and the nomination. You’ve been nothing short of exceptional, much like a shining star illuminating the sky. Thank you so much!

Inquire about your day’s events and if you were intentionally preoccupying yourself?

Well, I happen to be filming in London at the moment, and while I was fitting a costume, I received some exciting news. I tried to avoid focusing on when the nominations would be announced. I was telling myself, I don’t want to overthink this. There are so many remarkable female performances this year that I wanted everyone to be proud of. I had a hunch our movie, Timmy, and Edward Norton might receive recognition, so I tried not to ponder my own chances. So I thought, Let’s go ahead with the fitting right now. But I kept refreshing the screen. As soon as my phone started flashing, I was floored. I had prepared myself for the possibility that it might not happen, and this allowed me to be even more ecstatic. I can’t quite grasp how to process this sensation; I feel like I can’t feel my toes.

In such an intriguingly varied field, it’s left me baffled as I’ve encountered over a dozen distinct forecasts regarding the final five nominees. Growing up, I was enamored with “Center Stage,” and Zoe Saldaña has always been my symbol of feminine strength. It’s challenging to pinpoint these kinds of things to just five individuals. What makes this year particularly thrilling is that it’s not only the supporting actress category that’s competitive, but also the leading actress one. This year boasts an abundance of exceptional female performances. It fills me with optimism for women in cinema. To find my name among the final five is still a concept I’m struggling to grasp.

Are you optimistic that our first face-to-face encounter will be with Joan? I certainly hope so as we’ve yet to meet in person. Our previous interactions were over the phone during my production phase, but more recently we’ve been exchanging texts.

Has she sent her congratulations message yet? Not likely, since I’m not sure if she’s following the Oscars at all. We’ve been texting because I’m trying to attend the benefit concert she’s hosting in San Francisco next month, a celebration of her illustrious career. Since I’ll be shooting in London for the upcoming weeks, I’ve been brainstorming ways to make it there briefly, like suggesting ideas such as “Can I get a round-trip ticket, drop by for the night, and then dash back to London to continue working? Where are my airline miles?” She remains calm and unassuming amidst all this fame.

If given the chance, I’d love to spend my ideal day with her by enjoying music and dancing in her garden. That would be a dream come true for me, and I can imagine nothing better than sharing that moment with Joan. For the rest of the day, whatever happens, I’ll be content. The mere thought of dancing together in a drum circle with Joan makes my heart race.

Have you picked up on any unique aspects of her character since the filming wrapped up?
In spite of her own anxiety, Joan had an incredible ability to calm others with her voice, music, and convictions. I was a child who cherished walking barefoot, but as life went on, I realized that wasn’t always possible. However, during the production, I found myself in the rare opportunity to walk barefoot all the time because Joan often spoke about disliking shoes. This experience has made me insistent on allowing myself to be barefoot whenever possible, even in other people’s homes.

This year, the Oscars are skipping Best Original Song performances, but in previous years, there have been special music moments for select films. If given the opportunity, would you be interested in performing a song of Joan’s?

Absolutely! I thrive on facing fears and embracing challenges. Thanks for that; it’s given me quite a scare tonight. That prospect is another potentially life-changing experience. One of my most cherished memories from making this movie was when I discovered I could play “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right” to tempo. That moment moved me to tears. Learning music, let alone for this project – collaborating and performing with Timmy – and doing it live? I feel incredibly fortunate to have even dipped my toes into the world of a musician, however briefly. My newfound respect for performers has grown exponentially, and it was already high. So, if such a performance were to happen, I wouldn’t take it lightly. I’d be thrilled to know if it’s coming true!

Are you curious about what number Timmy might showcase on Saturday Night Live this weekend? I can’t predict it exactly, but given that he’s been there before, it promises to be an exceptional performance.

I’m hoping for a sequence: first, a Bob song, then a tune by Timmy Tim. It would be great if I could attend, but since I can’t, I’ll be joining the rest of London in watching it live the following morning.

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2025-01-23 22:54