Bay Area actress receives surprise Oscar nod
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Monica Barbaro attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Searchlight Pictures "A Complete Unknown" at Dolby Theatre on December 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
MILL VALLEY, Calif. - Bay Area native Monica Barbaro received her first Oscar nomination on Thursday, in what many, including the star herself, are calling a surprise selection.
Barbaro was nominated for best supporting actress for her role as legendary folk singer Joan Baez in the 2024 biopic on Bob Dylan, "A Complete Unknown."
What we know:
She did her own singing and guitar playing as Baez and has said that she had to learn both skills for her role in the film.
The 34-year-old Barbaro was born in San Francisco and grew up in Mill Valley attending Tamalpais High School.
In an emotional post, she shared a photo of herself crumbled on the floor after receiving the Oscar news.
What they're saying:
"What?!!!! This is me… literally floored upon receiving the news of this nomination - same as I was when Jim cast me in this film in the first place," she wrote on Instagram.
She also posted a screenshot of the message she received from director James Mangold when she was told she landed the role. "Joan is yours," it read.
Local perspective:
Barbaro’s Oscar nomination brought words of praise from her hometown.
"We are thrilled to see Tam High alum Monica Barbaro recognized with such a prestigious honor!" Tamalpais Union High School District Superintendent Tara Taupier told KTVU in an email.
The superintendent expressed the community’s pride and called Tam High’s former student an inspiration.
"As educators, it’s incredibly rewarding to see former students achieve success in their fields and inspire others. Monica’s accomplishment is a testament to her talent and hard work, and we couldn’t be prouder of her," Taupier said.
Barbaro, who has had roles in films including "Top Gun: Maverick" and the television series "Chicago Justice," was in London for a costume fitting on a new project when she learned about her nomination, according to The Associated Press.
She told The AP, "I fell on the floor and couldn't believe it. It's completely surreal."
Hollywood insiders widely called Barbaro’s nomination unexpected.
"Getting to be a part of this project has been the honor of a lifetime because of how much respect I have for Joan Baez and all the artists we portray in ‘A Complete Unknown,’ as well as the artists I’ve gotten to collaborate with in the making of this film," the actress said in her Instagram post.
The film received a notable eight nominations, including best picture, best director, best writing,
Barbaro’s co-stars Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton also received nods for best actor and best supporting actor, respectively.
"I’m immensely proud of everyone involved in this movie, completely humbled to see my name amongst the actresses in this category who I hold in such high regard, and am deeply grateful to the Academy for this recognition of everyone’s brilliant work," she wrote.
And she thanked her supporters for the kind messages of congrats. "I love the love," the Oscar nominee said, "and can’t believe how lucky I am to receive so much of it today."
Other nominees
The other actresses in the category are Ariana Grande for her role in "Wicked," Felicity Jones for "The Brutalist," Isabella Rossellini for "Conclave," and Zoe Saldaña for "Emilia Pérez."
Jacques Audiard's "Emilia Pérez," a Spanish-language, French-made film, dominated the nominations with 13 nominations.
The 97th Academy Awards will be held on March 2. The ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles will be hosted by Conan O'Brien.