Monica Barbaro Reflects on Odd Hollywood Advice and Staying Grounded in Acting

Monica Barbaro Reflects on Odd Hollywood Advice and Staying Grounded in Acting


Monica Barbaro, known for her role as Lt. Natasha "Phoenix" Trace in Top Gun: Maverick, shared a humorous yet eye-opening moment during her rise in Hollywood at Entertainment Weekly's Breaking Big panel at the Savannah Film Festival. Recalling an unusual piece of advice she once received on set, Barbaro described how a makeup artist advised her to trim her long eyelashes. "I didn’t take it like that," Barbaro explained, laughing, "but I just thought, 'No, I’m not going to do that.'" Reflecting on it now, she encouraged others to trust their instincts when hearing advice that doesn’t feel right, saying, "Sometimes you just have to filter out what works for you."

Barbaro, joined by fellow actors Austin Abrams (Wolfs, The Line), Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), Ethan Herisse (Nickel Boys, When They See Us), Ebony Obsidian (The Six Triple Eight, Sistas), and Savannah Lee Smith (Cruel Intentions, Gossip Girl), discussed the unpredictable nature of Hollywood casting. She highlighted that many factors, like appearance or personal connections, often affect who gets the role. "I used to believe it was all within my control," Barbaro admitted. "But you learn to focus on what you can control, like preparation, vision, and knowing the artist you want to be."

Barbaro, set to portray Joan Baez in the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, previously starred in Chicago P.D. and UnREAL. She reflected on the challenges of auditioning, especially for commercials, describing them as “brutal” but financially helpful during her early career. Despite the rough experiences, she sees them as a rite of passage. Barbaro’s advice to aspiring actors? Develop a thick skin and stay grounded, especially when starting out.