Top Gun: Maverick made history when it was released in 2022. Not only did it prove that people still enjoyed going to the cinema despite the rise of streaming, but it also solidified Tom Cruise’s status as a major bankable star. Filled with an impeccable cast, the movie also introduced the first female pilot to the plot, Monica Barbaro as Lt. Natasha Phoenix Trace.
Despite being the first female pilot, the character was not introduced as a ‘love interest’, which Barbaro really loved. Feeling honored to be playing a ‘passionate and professional’ female character, the actress was also thankful for the movie having subtle sexist scenes for a good reason.
Monica Barbaro Has No Problem With Top Gun: Maverick’s Sexist Scenes
Monica Barbaro was wonderful as Lt. Natasha Phoenix Trace in Top Gun: Maverick. Not only did she bring depth and strength to the character, but also showcased the challenges and triumphs of being a female pilot in a male-dominated environment. Yet, her performance added a refreshing and empowering element to the movie, earning her praise from audiences and critics alike.
While Barbaro herself is honored to have played an empowering female character in a respectable position who is not a ‘love interest’, the actress nonetheless was glad about some ‘sexist’ scenes featured in the movie. In the film, Glen Powell‘s Hangman gives Phoenix a hard time, just because of her gender. Although this might seem disrespectful to some, Barbaro is glad such scenes were included for the sake of maintaining authenticity in the Tom Cruise-led flick.
It’s interesting because there was discussion of removing a tonal moment like that, but I was an advocate for keeping it in the movie. I’ve seen the military aviation community be rather progressive with that sort of thing… But there’s no way that sort of [sexism] doesn’t still exist in little moments here and there. It’s par for the course for women in historically male-dominated spaces. So I was glad we kept that in.
Stated the star in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Instead of being disrespectful, the scenes added another depth to Phoenix’s character, making her experience more realistic and relatable.
Monica Barbaro Loves Love But Was Happy Not to Play a Love Interest
When Monica Barbaro’s character was first introduced, there was a general perception amongst the audience that Phoenix would end up being the love interest of one or the other male characters, as is the norm. Surprisingly, that was hardly the case for the character wasn’t there for the sake of ‘love’ but for the sake of representation and realism.
Despite being a fan of romcoms and similar genres, Barbaro was glad to play such a role. In her interview with THR, she stated,
One of my favorite things about Phoenix is that she’s not a love interest. And to not be a love interest is pretty rare, so it’s a great role. I just shot a romcom, so I love being a love interest. (Laughs.) I love love. But in this context, it was just a real honor to get to be a highly capable professional who’s taken seriously.
Feeling overwhelmed, the actress is now more than glad to be the one chosen to play such a role. Her performances not only added depth and authenticity to the movie, but her portrayal also contributed to the movie’s critical and audience acclaim.
Top Gun: Maverick can be streamed on Amazon Prime.
