It’s really easy to root for Monica Barbaro. She carries herself with a quiet and grounded confidence. From the first time I met her on the set of Top Gun: Maverick, I knew right away that we would be friends for life. She’s a total star but, more importantly, she’s a good person. As an actor, Monica is driven by curiosity—not ego—and she approaches her work with a thoughtfulness that allows her to really tap into the characters and people she plays. Watching the way that she totally transformed into Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown was extraordinary. It’s not easy to embody the spirit of another person and bring it to life onscreen, but she made it look effortless, garnering an Oscar nomination as a result. I really think this is the beginning of a long run for Monica, and I’m excited to see what she does next. Anything she sets her mind to, she can accomplish. The sky is the limit for her.
Powell is an actor and producer