The Mantra of This Beauty #Girlboss Is Your New Life Motto

Monica Barbaro loved working with Timothée Chalamet on 'A Complete Unknown.'

Monica revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that she met Timothée Chalamet a week before filming — and that he was already more-or-less in character. "The first time we met was a music rehearsal," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "So we just really launched right into it, which was nice because I admired his work so much from afar and any level of intimidation that I may have had, I could just sort of funnel into music prep, which was great."

"It was a beautiful experience of getting to hear our voices harmonize as these characters and hear the accompaniment of our guitars," she continues. "And we were able to kind of like anchor ourselves in the music and have sort of a meeting of minds that was maybe a little more similar to Joan and Bob because they met in the music scene as already very proficient musicians. So that was a beautiful magical day. And then we like launched right into filming."

Monica Barbaro (who you'll recognize from Top Gun2) stars as musician Joan Baez, and even though Monica had to learn how to play guitar for the role, you'd never guess just by watching the film. She carries herself with such confidence and ease that I'd have believed she'd been playing her whole life. And the fact her voice sounds like a Disney princess is just the cherry on top.

"I'm not a singer, I didn't play guitar," she says. "So there was sort of this introductory level thing going on where I just had to figure out how to form my hands and in some way, I thought about how she might have done that at like 14, I think, when she first picked up guitar. But that was just like an overhaul of everything — I mean, all my time just poured into that training."

She was doing her own research, but also worked with vocal coach Eric Vetro, who's also worked with Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and Shawn Mendes. "He encouraged me to consider what the lyrics of songs meant to her," Monica says. "Because the best musicians are storytellers and that's one of the best things about he renditions of these folk songs is you feel the story of the song."

And because of that, focusing on the lyrics "was also a part of the character development. So there were sort of siloed things like voice, guitar research, and then her speaking voice," she says. "And then all of those things started to just kind of like meld, you know. You have to play and sing at the same time and tell a story and do it from the perspective of Joan. And so so they just sort of over time kind of like bridged."

But no matter how much prep Monica, Timothée, and Elle Fanning (who stars as Sylvie Russo) did for the film, they still had to film in the middle of New York City, which came with its own set of 2024-specific challenges. "It was interesting to be filming and have people sneaking videos and posting them on the internet," she says, admitting that she "really just tried to turn all of that off to the best of my ability."

The film highlights the tension between celebrity and fame, considering we meet Bob Dylan right before he becomes, well, Bob Dylan. "It's a privilege to have to have so much attention and excitement on a project and I appreciate the intent, but you kind of just sort of turn it off a little bit and disengage," Monica says, "especially when you're talking about just a very different kind of fame in the sixties."

1. Rehearsing for the Christmas season is a full-time job.

Once the holidays roll around, the Radio City Rockette shows might last 90 minutes, but prepping for the season is a full work week. "The rehearsal season itself is six weeks long, six hours a day, six days a week," Courtney says. "So it is a long process and I feel like the rehearsals itself are like a bonding experience for us."

2. The Radio City Rockettes get some serious bonding time.

"You spend a lot of time with the girls around you and within Radio City, our dressing rooms too," Courteney says of the Rockette rehearsal schedule. "I feel like that's the time when you really get to form those bonds with your sisters and really create magic that can be seen on stage too."

"Yeah, once we move into Radio City, this becomes your family, truly," Caitlin adds. "We spend every day, day in day out together, we spend the holidays together. So you naturally just become very close with everyone."

Each Rockette dresses up her getting-ready station.

"Everybody dresses up their station to make it feel very homey," Caitlin says. "I like lots of like decor and festive lights, candles, all that fun stuff."

The women love to have treats in their dressing rooms!

I'm literally snacking on a chocolate bar as I type this, and I'm not the only one who likes to have sweets on-hand! "I love Christmas cookies," Caitlin says. "We will do something with our dressing room and bring in treats every day. I feel like someone's bringing in something new."

The Radio City Rockettes perform up to 200 shows at Christmas.

"The Rockettes perform up to 200 shows in a season, and the way that each show feels so special and individual, it's just amazing how you never know who's out in the audience seeing the show for the first time," Courtney says. "And the way the ladies in the line put their best foot forward every single time is so inspiring and made me want to give even more."

"It just really amazes me how dedicated and how hard working all the Rockettes are," Caitlin agrees. "And I think we always knew that, but then once you're in it, you have a whole new level of respect for how hard all these women work."

And each Rockette can perform in up to 4 shows a day!

"I think sometimes people don't realize we can do up to four shows in the day, which is unreal and amazing," Caitlin says. "That might be a surprise to people when they're coming to a show. They might think we just have that one that day, but we actually might have two, three, or four in the day, which is pretty amazing."

But the Rockettes also find time to goof off.

The Rockettes might be known for their precision, but Courtney promises their smiles are real! "We are having so much fun," Courtney says. "It's really just an amazing feeling to be on stage and we find times to laugh and joke around, but really obviously give our all to our craft. And I think people don't realize like we are really having an amazing time on and off stage."

The Radio City Rockettes really support one another.

As you can imagine, a career as a Rockette comes with its challenges, but the ladies on the line always support each other. "I was really proud last year was our first season together and just to complete one full season is such an accomplishment," Courtney says. "I feel like we're ready to take it on again and know like we absolutely can do it. And with the support of everyone around us too, you know, you're going to get through the entire holiday season and you're gonna come out even stronger."

The Radio City Rockettes can work a bunch of jobs during the summer.

The Rockettes have a busy schedule during Christmas — but that doesn't mean they kick up their feet the rest of the year! "Every person on the line has a very diverse background and they go to different job opportunities throughout the year," Courtney says. "People are pulled in different directions when the holiday season is over. The Rockettes do work year-round [with] different opportunities."

"We're always looking to continue to dance and work on our precision," she continues. "The summer though, our favorite thing is to go to the beach. We're from New Jersey and the Jersey shore is like our home. So if we're not dancing, you can definitely find us relaxing on the sand."

The best thing about performing New York City can also be the most challenging.

You know how, when people talk about New York, they say, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere?" That's because it's hard to live here y'all!

"This is just the city that never sleeps," Caitlin says. "There are people everywhere. It's always alive. There's just something magical about New York and I love that. And I think that could come with the biggest challenge as well: the city that never sleeps. You feel like you're going, going, going at all times. But that's pretty exciting to do at our age, living out our dreams. I feel like that will never get old."

"I feel like we have no complaints here!" Courtney adds.

Even as a Radio City Rockette, the work is never done.

"I feel like there's always room for improvement," Courtney says. "Even today, as we're living at our dream, we're continuously working on our technique and our precision and going back to our foundation, I think the work is never done and you can continue to dream and accomplish some of those really major goals."

"Yeah, the work is never done is I think is kind of our motto," Caitlin adds. "Just keep, keep pushing, keep driving and just keep dreaming. And never give up."

The Rockettes are like one big family.

Just like so many of our favorite TV show and movie casts, the Rockettes love to bond! "The Rockettes truly feel like a sisterhood and we are so lucky that we are real sisters on the line together," Caitlin says, adding that to dance "with your sister is everything we always hoped for."

And those connections make a magical experience like New York at Christmas even more magical. "[To] be welcomed with open arms has been such a dream come true for us," Courtney says. "We just love the holiday season and to celebrate it at Radio City, I feel like I can't imagine anything better."

1. Soup Dumplings

Available in three flavors: chicken, pork, or vegetable, Trader Joe's soup dumplings were noted as a must-have for many shoppers.

2. Jalapeño Sauce

TJ's Jalapeño Sauce is equal parts spicy and creamy, perfect for dipping into or adding to saucy recipes.

3. Protein Bars

One shopper said they often buy protein bars at Trader Joe's because "they are so much cheaper there.”

4. Korean Beefless Bulgogi

This fan-fave frozen meal's signature mark is the soy-based protein that's so full of flavor.

5. Korean Pancakes

These "flaky, flavorful" Korean pancakes are renowned by TJ's shoppers of all backgrounds. This version is sweet and filled with cinnamon, but you can also find savory scallion pancakes in the freezer aisles.

6. Tikka Vegetables

The Indian-spiced packets like this are popular among TJ's eaters that like a quick, flavorful meal.

7. Chili Crisp

"I often end up with multiples of this in my cart,” one Redditor wrote. TJ's chili crisp oil is super versatile, especially if you're into Asian cooking.

8. Gnocchi

“Always the gnocchi," one person wrote. "Especially the Gorgonzola gnocchi.”

Trader Joe's has a fun handful of different gnocchi varieties. We particularly love the Cauliflower Gnocchi that's pictured above!

9. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies

TJ's has it down when it comes to gluten-free treats. Case in point: these chocolate chunk cookies. One Redditor noted that they usually opt for "anything gluten-free" at the store, but tend to gravitate toward these delicious bites.

10. Curry Packs

“I almost always grab some of the Indian curry packs for easy lunches, then meal prep some rice and it's super quick," one user said. Okay, we've got to try this!

11. Pasture Raised Eggs

Another person said that these pasture raised eggs are the "only thing [they] go to TJ’s for.”

12. Spinach & Kale Dip

Another avid Trader Joe's shopper said this Reduced Guilt Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip is "next level" and has a "decent nutritional value.” TJ's says it's made with low-fat Greek yogurt, which is the key to it having "75% less fat and calories than a typical spinach dip made with sour cream."

13. Frozen Mac & Cheese

"I always keep at least one in the freezer,” one Redditor raved about this frozen mac. Housed in a "ooey-gooey- and-oh-so-creamy sauce," this meal does not miss.

14. Spanish-Style Rice

This frozen rice is super quick and easy to prepare, and makes a nice side for Taco Tuesdays (per one Reddit user) – or any day of the week, really.

15. Ghost Pepper Potato Chips

“The ghost pepper chips are banging," one person commented. Okay, we're sold.

16. White Cheddar Corn Puffs

These airy puffs flavored with white cheddar cheese are downright addictive. "I eat the bag in like 2 days it’s sooooo good," one person said.

17. Sourdough Bread

“I bought sourdough from TJ and never looked back," one more user commented. "I buy 2-3 loaves at [a] time and freeze them.”

18. Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Oat Creamer

This sweet coffee creamer made from oats presents the perfect balance of brown sugar and creamy oat milk.

19. Shrimp Burgers

One enthusiastic TJ's shopper shared their thoughts on the frozen Shrimp Burgers and even offered some yummy-sounding meal options using 'em:

"Simple. Easy. They come out juicy and are well seasoned, really versatile. I chop and throw onto salads, do as Asian-style lettuce wraps, chop into wedges and dunk in cocktail sauce like shrimp cocktail."

20. Garlic Cubes

The same Redditor praised these pre-made garlic cubes you can find in the freezer section:

"For me, these were a 'best thing since sliced bread' magic moment. I didn't know how much I wanted them in my life until I had them," they said. "You just pop a cube or two of garlic straight from freezer into your pan when cooking, and, bam, easy garlic. No chopping, peeling, etc. and tastes soooo much better than the jarred stuff. Game changer, really.”