Monica Barbaro Opens Up About Impostor Syndrome Amidst Career Milestones
Monica Barbaro, the California-born actor who earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Joan Baez in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, is now preparing for her stage debut in the National Theatre's revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Despite her rising fame, she admits that impostor syndrome remains a significant challenge in her career.
From Screen to Stage: A Daunting Transition
Barbaro, 35, is set to play Madame de Tourvel, a role previously taken by actresses like Michelle Pfeiffer and Reese Witherspoon. She describes the move to theatre as intimidating, noting that speaking aloud to a large audience is a new experience for her. "It's a daunting challenge," she says, highlighting the pressure of following in the footsteps of such esteemed performers.
Her preparation for A Complete Unknown involved months of studying Baez's voice, learning guitar, and wearing prosthetic teeth to capture the folk singer's look. "It was really intense," Barbaro recalls, explaining that it took time to feel like herself again after the rapid production and release of the film.
Idolising Joan Baez and Shared Identities
Barbaro's connection to Baez deepened through their shared mixed heritage—Barbaro is a quarter Mexican, while Baez is half Mexican. She found Baez's memoir, which explores themes of dual identity and not belonging, to be "so personal." Meeting Baez in person last year was a surreal experience, described as "so trippy" and filled with awe.
The Oscar nomination for her role was "totally surreal," but Barbaro worked to process it in advance, confronting her desire for recognition. "It was a nice reminder that I worked hard," she says, reflecting on her journey from fangirling over her co-stars to earning critical acclaim.
Exploring Darkness in Les Liaisons Dangereuses
In Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Barbaro is drawn to the play's exploration of power, manipulation, and emotional brutality. She notes that the story, set in pre-revolutionary France, resonates with modern audiences, citing the recent release of the Epstein files as a parallel. "It's about systemic abuse and corruption," she explains, emphasising the enduring relevance of its themes.
Director Marianne Elliott's focus on the women in the drama appealed to Barbaro, who sees Tourvel's vulnerability as a powerful element. "The thing I fear most is dying of heartbreak," she says, relating to Tourvel's tragic arc and the theme of shame that still holds significance today.
Overcoming Doubt and Embracing Vulnerability
Despite her success, Barbaro continues to grapple with self-doubt. She shares that after a recent rehearsal, she went home thinking, "I'm a terrible actor and they're finding out." However, she views this as a healthy part of her growth, grateful that fame came later in her career rather than in her early 20s.
Acting has become a form of therapy for Barbaro, helping her overcome a upbringing that emphasised avoiding embarrassment. "In the theatre, that's the number one thing you have to be comfortable doing," she asserts, highlighting the importance of vulnerability in her craft.
Looking Ahead with Uncertainty and Excitement
As she balances her relationship with actor Andrew Garfield and upcoming projects like Luca Guadagnino's drama Artificial, Barbaro remains focused on her internal measures of success. She values the scarcity of work in the industry as a motivator, feeling relieved to no longer be in a state of desperation.
When asked about her future plans, Barbaro admits, "I honestly don't know right now," but sees this uncertainty as exciting. With her stage debut underway, she embraces the opportunity to carve out a new aspect of her acting practice at the National Theatre.
