In an interview, Monica Barbaro recalled the sexist rumor that preceded the filming of Top Gun: Maverick.
Tom Cruise was Monica Barbaro's best instructor
Top Gun: Maverick, based on the original classic Top Gun (1986), had a blockbuster effect on the masses when it was released in 2022. The big limelight 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 called to the prestigious Navy Fighter Weapons School to train a new batch of pilots.
Interestingly, among these recruits was Lieutenant Natasha "Phoenix" Trace, played by Monica Barbaro. Her character in the film breaks several stereotypes in a very male-dominated field. But even strong characters are not immune to the sexiest rumors. Barbaro described how she handled the situation and the critical role Tom Cruise played in it all.
Becky Calder was the first female graduate of the US Navy's Fighter Weapons School, Top Gun, in 2004. This achievement paved the way for future female participation in the Navy. So the filmmakers inserted Barbaro's character into the film while maintaining the importance and their dedication to authenticity.
