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Monica Barbaro: ‘Yesterday I went home thinking I’m a terrible actor and they’re finding out’
The California star may have earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Joan Baez in Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, but as she prepares for her stage debut in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, she says impostor syndrome is still a big problem
TL;DR
- Monica Barbaro is making her stage debut in the National Theatre's revival of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses', playing Madame de Tourvel.
- She recently received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Joan Baez in the Bob Dylan biopic 'A Complete Unknown'.
- Barbaro reflects on the intense preparation for her role as Baez, including studying her voice, learning guitar, and wearing prosthetic teeth.
- She identifies with Baez's experiences as a mixed-identity woman and found resonance in Baez's memoir.
- Despite significant career success, Barbaro admits to still experiencing impostor syndrome and self-doubt.
- She sees 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' as a story about power, systemic abuse, and corruption, with themes that remain relevant today, citing the Epstein files and Ghislaine Maxwell's role.
- Barbaro's personal background includes dance training and a mixed heritage (Mexican, German, and Nicaraguan descent).
- She views acting as a form of therapy that helps her overcome the fear of embarrassment and embrace vulnerability.
- Barbaro feels fortunate that her current level of fame and success has come later in her career, allowing her to handle it with more perspective.