Actor Monica Barbaro (‘A Complete Unknown’) Takes the Stage as Joan Baez
Mar 2, 2025
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Monica Barbaro, an Oscar-nominated actress known for her roles in Top Gun: Maverick and A Complete Unknown, shares insights into portraying Joan Baez. She discusses vocal lessons that prepared her for the role and reflects on her artistic journey influenced by a California upbringing. Monica candidly addresses her struggles with perfectionism and the importance of authenticity in her work. The conversation also touches on her shift from dancing to acting and her aspirations for the future, all accompanied by her captivating music rendition of House of the Rising Sun.
Monica Barbaro's portrayal of Joan Baez required extensive vocal training and a deep dive into Baez's artistic legacy for authenticity.
Barbaro reflects on her childhood experiences of constant change, which shaped her adaptability and perspective as an artist in a competitive industry.
The conversation highlights the unique challenges female artists face, particularly the societal pressures and self-doubt affecting their creative expressions.
Deep dives
Monica Barbaro's Role as Joan Baez
Monica Barbaro portrays singer Joan Baez in the biopic about Bob Dylan, 'A Complete Unknown,' which highlights Dylan's journey from folk artist to rock star between 1961 and 1965. The film emphasizes Baez's dual role as a mentor and romantic interest to Dylan, depicted by Timothée Chalamet. Barbaro's performance creates a sense of authenticity as she navigates Baez's complex character, balancing her own career ambitions with the challenges posed by her relationship with Dylan. The film's unique narrative approach, inspired by the movie 'Amadeus,' focuses on how Dylan's presence impacts those around him, particularly Baez, thus underscoring her individuality throughout the story.
The Challenges of Authentic Performance
Barbaro faced significant challenges in mastering the vocal and musical aspects necessary for her role, as she had little prior experience with singing or playing the guitar. Working with celebrated vocal coach Eric Vitro, who has trained various famous artists, she focused on expanding her vocal range and embodying Baez's signature sound. The process included not only technical training but also a deep dive into Baez's artistic history, ensuring her portrayal was both relatable and true to life. This commitment to authenticity was critical for her, as she sought to properly represent Baez's legacy while navigating her own insecurities about performance.
Balancing Personal and Professional Identities
Throughout her journey, Barbaro discusses the interplay between her personal experiences and professional ambitions, particularly as she reflects on her upbringing and the pressure of working in an industry rife with self-doubt. She is candid about the emotional toll of constant moving between homes during her childhood, which contributed to her heightened awareness of change and adaptability as an adult actor. This background has shaped her perspective on art and performance, fueling her desire for creative expression while simultaneously grappling with perfectionist tendencies. Her reflections on identity and belonging inform her work, allowing her to channel past experiences into her character portrayals, particularly in the emotionally charged scenes that highlight Baez's struggles.
The Intersection of Gender and Artistic Vulnerability
Barbaro addresses the complexities of being a female artist in a male-dominated industry, noting how societal expectations have influenced both her and Baez's narratives. She resonates with Baez's challenges in the film, especially moments where external criticism directly targets vulnerabilities that female performers often face. The conversation reveals a shared understanding of the scrutiny placed on women's artistic endeavors, emphasizing that self-doubt can heighten the impact of harsh criticism. There’s a powerful acknowledgment that this pressure can manifest as both a source of confusion and a driving force in an artist's work, making their trajectory unique yet often fraught with societal barriers.
Looking Ahead in a Creative Career
As Barbaro reflects on her ascent within the industry, she remains acutely aware of the inherent risks of being a working actor, where success can be fleeting and promotional opportunities irregular. With a recent Oscar nomination underscoring her talent in 'A Complete Unknown,' she expresses a desire to continue evolving creatively, embracing various roles while remaining grounded in her craft. The conversation touches on the insecurities that linger regardless of success, as Barbaro grapples with the challenges of being in the public eye and the high stakes of artistic representation. Ultimately, her journey points toward a hopeful future where personal and professional growth coalesce to forge deeper connections through her work.
In celebration of Oscar Sunday, our conversation with actor Monica Barbaro. Her portrayal of Joan Baez in the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
At the top, we discuss how director James Mangolddrew inspiration from Miloš Forman’s Amadeus (7:00), the vocal lessons Monica received in preparation for the role of Baez (10:15), and her affecting rendition of House of the Rising Sun (16:00). Then, we dive into Monica’s California upbringing (18:00), her pivot from dancing to professional acting (24:00), and the winding journey that led her to A Complete Unknown (29:00).
On the back-half, we talk about her breakout role in Top Gun: Maverick (38:00), her evolving relationship to perfectionism (39:30), the deep, autobiographical research she did to portray Joan Baez (42:00), and what she hopes for in the years to come (54:15).