Monica Barbaro Puts Legs Front and Center in a Bold, Body-Confidence Moment for Porter Magazine Shoot
Monica Barbaro is entering a new chapter in her career. After gaining global attention in Top Gun: Maverick and earning an Oscar nomination for playing Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown, the actress is now preparing for her first major stage role. She will appear in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at National Theatre in London.
In a recent interview with Porter Magazine, Barbaro spoke openly about pressure, fear, and her drive to get everything right.
She admitted she used to feel anxious during interviews and public appearances. Over time, that feeling has changed. “I used to be so nervous before interviews,” she said. “Now I don’t know if I’m being complacent, or if I’ve just been through so many intense experiences, but everything feels… OK.”
Barbaro’s path to acting began with dance. She grew up near San Francisco and started ballet as a child. Performing physically felt safe to her at first. Acting, she explained, felt more personal and exposed. Dance later became an important tool in building characters. “Dance gave me a completely different way into character. People reveal themselves through their body language,” she said.
Monica Barbaro photographed by Peter Joseph Smith for PORTER Magazine. 📷 pic.twitter.com/G800WZLPcL
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That physical discipline helped her transition into demanding roles, including action projects. When she joined Top Gun: Maverick, she felt strong pressure because of the film’s legacy and the responsibility of portraying real-life female pilots with respect.
Her next big step came with A Complete Unknown. The project faced delays during the pandemic, leaving her unsure whether it would ever move forward. When she finally learned she had landed the role, she said the moment overwhelmed her. The performance later earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Despite the recognition, Barbaro keeps a grounded view of awards. “It’s a huge honor but it doesn’t actually give my work more meaning,” she said. She sees awards as helpful for careers but believes they should not define artistic value.
She also pushed back against the label of being a “breakthrough” star. “I’ve been called a breakthrough but it took years to get here,” she noted, highlighting the long journey behind her current success.
Now, she is stepping into unfamiliar territory with her stage debut in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. The role requires a British accent and a live performance schedule — both new challenges for her.
“I haven’t done a play before,” she admitted. “And I’ll be doing a British accent, in Britain, as an American. So… I’m sort of asking for it.”
Barbaro described herself as a perfectionist, especially when preparing for demanding roles. She believes focusing deeply on technical details helps her stay grounded.
The experience has already reshaped how she chooses projects. She said preparing for the play has made her feel like she is rediscovering acting from the beginning.
Barbaro’s honesty about fear and self-doubt makes her story relatable. Many actors talk about success, but fewer speak about the pressure behind it. Her move to the stage shows a willingness to take risks instead of staying comfortable in film roles.
What do you think about her decision to step into theatre at this stage of her career? Do you see it as a smart move or a big risk? Share your thoughts in the comments.
