Top Gun: Maverick, based on the original classic Top Gun (1986), had a blockbuster effect on the masses when released in 2022. The major spotlight went to Tom Cruise for his portrayal of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. On the other hand, other stars were not far behind. Cruise’s character is summoned to the prestigious Navy Fighter Weapons School to train a fresh batch of pilots.
Interestingly, among these recruits was Lieutenant Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, played by Monica Barbaro. Her character in the movie breaks several stereotypes in a highly male-dominated field. But even strong characters are not immune to sexiest rumors. Barbaro described how she dealt with the situation and the critical part that Tom Cruise played in the whole thing.
Monica Barbaro detailed a sexist rumor that surfaced during the filming of Top Gun: Maverick
Becky Calder was the first female graduate of the U.S. Navy’s Fighter Weapons School, Top Gun, in 2004. This accomplishment cleared the path for future female participation in the Navy. So, the filmmakers inserted Barbaro’s character in the film while upholding the importance and their dedication to authenticity.
Although Natasha Trace was a very talented and skilled pilot, there were rumors that she was Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw’s (Miles Teller) romantic interest. Monica Barbaro discussed the same in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, adding that she was delighted that the plot concentrated more on Natasha’s abilities than on a romantic subplot. She continued, saying:
When I first booked the role, there was a rumor going around that I was playing Miles’ love interest, which was funny because one of my favorite things about Phoenix is that she’s not a love interest. In this context, it was just a real honor to get to be a highly capable professional who’s taken seriously.
Her powerful role in the movie was what cemented her capabilities. However, the actress recalled that it wouldn’t have been possible without Tom Cruise. She added that the Mission Impossible actor taught the entire cast about cinematography and the art of storytelling and that has changed the way she approaches a project now.
Barbaro added that the risk factor is not something every actor takes. But, when someone signs up for a Tom Cruise movie, they have to be ready to perform their own stunts and fully understand their character and part. However, not just the stunts, but Cruise also pays great attention to safety. This is clear from the numerous risky stunts that the actor has performed on his own rather than using a stunt double.
How Ballet helped Monica Barbaro during the filming of Top Gun: Maverick
The world of cinema is filled with aspiring actors wanting to make it big in the business. However, in this lot, only a handful manage to emerge victorious. One such name was Monica Barbaro, who was relatively unknown before she landed the part of Natasha “Phoenix” Trace in Top Gun: Maverick.
But starring in a movie involving fighter jets requires a high pain threshold, thanks to the stringent training programs. Barbaro revealed in an interview with Glamour on how her background in ballet aided in her role’s preparation. She recalled an incident where a couple of cast members said they hated going upside down in the jets.
To this, she added that she’s “been going upside down forever.” Additionally, adding:
I would do handstands before flights…. It helped me control some of the weird feelings of blood rushing to spaces you don’t usually want it to.
This was the main reason why she was one of the few actors who did not throw up while performing the intense flight sequences. This was just a steppingstone for Monica Barbaro, and now, with a number of movies and shows to her name, most notably Arnold Schwarzenegger’s FUBAR, she’s just getting started.
You can stream Top Gun on Paramount+ and Top Gun: Maverick on Prime Video.
