“I didn’t play guitar at all. The imposter syndrome was pretty rampant. It was incredibly challenging”: A Complete Unknown’s Monico Barbaro on how she went from never playing guitar to nailing Joan Baez's intricate fingerstyle technique

Monica Barbaro playing guitar in the role of Joan Baez.

Monica Barbaro's nuanced approach to the role of folk music icon Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown was key not only to the movie's story – but also to introducing Baez to a whole new generation of fans.

However, having never been a singer or guitarist, the actor had her work cut out for her. Like her co-star Timothée Chalamet, she had to take a (serious) deep dive into Baez's playing style – no mean feat considering the veteran artist's commanding fingerstyle technique.